Hasan Nawaz has broken the record for the fastest T20I century for Pakistan, scoring 100 runs in just 44 balls against New Zealand. His innings powered Pakistan to a nine-wicket victory in Auckland. Nawaz is the first Pakistani to score a T20I century in New Zealand and has joined the elite group of players with a T20I hundred.
In a remarkable display of skill, Hasan Nawaz has set a new record for the fastest T20I century by a Pakistani player. The 22-year-old achieved this milestone in just 44 balls during the third match of a five-match series against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. This broke the previous record held by Babar Azam, who scored a century in 49 balls against South Africa in April 2021.
Nawaz’s stellar performance not only established a new record but also led Pakistan to a commanding nine-wicket victory. He scored an impressive 105 runs off 45 balls, successfully chasing a target of 205 runs in just 16 overs. His innings included essential partnerships, notably 74 runs with Mohammad Haris (41 runs) and an unbroken 133-run partnership with captain Salman Ali Agha (51 runs not out).
With his explosive knock, Nawaz became the first Pakistani batter to score a T20I century on New Zealand soil, as noted by ESPNcricinfo. Despite achieving this landmark, it is noteworthy that he had previously scored ducks in his first two T20I matches, marking his international debut with this performance. Babar Azam remains the only other Pakistani to score a T20I century against New Zealand, while Nawaz’s century adds to his two fifties earlier in the format.
Overall, Nawaz is now the fourth Pakistani player to achieve a T20I century, joining the ranks of Babar Azam, Ahmed Shehzad, and Mohammad Rizwan. Babar is the only player among them with multiple T20I hundreds, having achieved this feat three times.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand’s innings was anchored by Mark Chapman, who scored 94 runs, but he did not receive adequate support. Pakistan’s bowlers were instrumental in securing the win; Haris Rauf was particularly effective, taking three wickets for 29 runs in four overs. Complementing his efforts were Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abbas Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed, each claiming two wickets.
Captain Salman Agha provided strong support, scoring an unbeaten 51 runs off 31 balls, which marked his first fifty in T20Is. Agha has now accumulated 165 runs in eight innings, averaging 23.57, with 115 of those runs coming against New Zealand at an impressive average of 57.50. This match also marked Agha’s fifth half-century in T20 cricket.
Hasan Nawaz’s record-setting performance highlights his potential as a crucial player for Pakistan in T20 cricket. His 44-ball century not only broke previous records but also led to a decisive victory against New Zealand. As he continues to develop his skills, Nawaz’s achievement adds depth to Pakistan’s batting lineup, making him a player to watch in future matches. The strong performance of the Pakistani bowlers further contributed to the team’s success, reinforcing their competitive edge in T20I cricket.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
