Hasan Nawaz scored a record-breaking 105 not out, leading Pakistan to a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20 match. Nawaz’s century, achieved in just 44 balls, was the fastest for a Pakistani player in T20 history. New Zealand posted 204 runs, largely due to Mark Chapman’s 94, but faltered against Pakistan’s strong batting and bowling performance.
In a thrilling T20 match in Auckland, Pakistan’s opener, Hasan Nawaz, delivered an exceptional performance, scoring a record-breaking maiden century. This achievement helped Pakistan secure a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand, keeping the series alive. Nawaz’s century, where he scored 105 not out off just 44 balls, stands as the fastest T20 century by a Pakistani player, marking a significant turnaround after his previous two outings resulted in ducks.
Nawaz’s innings included impressive shots all around the ground, including audacious ramp shots. He hit 10 fours and 7 sixes, leading Pakistan to chase down New Zealand’s total of 204 with four overs remaining. His match-winning runs came off Kyle Jamieson, with successive fours in the 16th over, emphasizing his swift ascent in the match.
Fellow opener Mohammad Haris contributed significantly to the innings with 41 runs off 20 balls. Additionally, captain Salman Agha remained unbeaten with 51 runs off 31 balls, underscoring the team’s strong batting performance.
Earlier, New Zealand had set a competitive score, largely thanks to Mark Chapman, who scored 94 off 44 balls, featuring 11 fours and 4 sixes. Despite Chapman’s efforts, the rest of the batting lineup faltered, with Michael Bracewell being the only other notable contributor with 31 runs. Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s bowling attack, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs, notably dismissing Bracewell.
The next match of this thrilling five-match series is scheduled for Sunday in Mount Maunganui.
Hasan Nawaz’s remarkable performance and record-breaking century were pivotal in Pakistan’s resounding victory over New Zealand in the third T20 match. Nawaz’s ability to recover from early setbacks and lead his team to victory exemplifies his potential in international cricket. With strong contributions from other team members and effective bowling, Pakistan aims to continue their momentum in the upcoming matches of the series.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
