March 21, 2025: A brilliant century from Hasan Nawaz and superb bowling performances from Pakistan’s pacers helped Pakistan secure a dominant nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I at Auckland on Friday, keeping the five-match series alive.
New Zealand posted a challenging total of 204 runs in their allotted 20 overs after being put in to bat by Pakistan. However, Pakistan chased down the target in just 16 overs, aided by Nawaz’s blistering knock.
Pakistan’s bowlers started strong, with Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi removing New Zealand’s openers early. Tim Seifert was dismissed for 19 runs off just 9 balls, while Finn Allen was sent back for a duck. This left New Zealand at 43/2 in 4.1 overs.
Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell then steadied the ship with a 55-run partnership. Chapman was in fine form, striking boundaries and sixes all over the park. He reached a blistering half-century in just 29 balls, hitting seven fours and a six. However, Shadab Khan broke the partnership, dismissing Mitchell for 17.
As New Zealand reached their 100 in the 9.4 over, they lost Chapman at 94 runs off 44 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes) to a catch by Shadab Khan off Shaheen. With wickets falling consistently, Michael Bracewell’s cameo of 31 off 18 balls helped New Zealand finish strong. They posted a total of 204 runs in 19.5 overs, with Ben Sears remaining unbeaten at 7.
Pakistan’s bowlers, Rauf (3/29) and Shaheen (2/36), were the standout performers, while Abbas Afridi (2/43) also chipped in with crucial wickets.
In response, Pakistan’s openers went on the offensive from the start. Mohammed Haris began the chase by smashing Kyle Jamieson for two sixes in the first over. Nawaz, too, played aggressively, taking Pakistan to 50 in just four overs.
However, Haris was dismissed for 41 off 20 balls (five fours, three sixes) after a fine catch by Mitch Hay at backward point. Pakistan was 74/1 in the 5.5 overs. Nawaz, though, continued his onslaught, reaching his fifty in just 26 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes. Pakistan’s 100 came up in the 8.1 over.
Pakistan’s skipper Agha Salman also played a fine knock, reaching 50 off just 30 balls. He hit a series of boundaries, including a hat-trick of fours off Ish Sodhi, with the partnership bringing up their century in just 47 balls.
Nawaz’s knock was an absolute spectacle, as he reached his maiden T20I century, hitting nine fours and seven sixes. His aggressive stroke play made sure Pakistan finished the chase with ease, reaching 207/1 in 16 overs. Agha remained unbeaten at 51* off 31 balls, and Nawaz finished on a sensational 100* off 44 balls.
Pakistan’s emphatic win keeps the series alive with two matches remaining, and the thrilling chase helped Nawaz stake his claim as one of the most promising talents in Pakistan cricket.