- Scorecard is available here
Auckland, 21 March 2025: Opening batter Hasan Nawaz registered his maiden and the fastest T20I century for Pakistan as the visitors chased the 205-run target with nine wickets in hand and 24 balls to spare here at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday night.
Pakistan’s opening pair set the tone for the fiery chase with a 74-run stand in 5,5 overs as Mohammad Haris fell to Jacob Duffy for a 20-ball 41 inclusive of four boundaries and three sixes.
Hasan, who hit 10 fours and seven sixes in his unbeaten 105 off 45 balls, stitched an undefeated 133-run partnership with skipper Salman Ali Agha for second wicket, the third highest for Pakistan in T20Is.
The right-handed opening batter, who collected two ducks in first two outings, overtook Babar Azam’s record of fastest T20I century for Pakistan and bettered it by five balls as he brought up his triple figure mark off 44 balls.
Salman brought up his maiden T20I half-century and remained unbeaten for 51 off 31 balls hitting six fours and two sixes. The nine-wicket victory was also Pakistan’s second highest chase in T20Is.
Earlier, winning the coin toss and putting New Zealand to bat first, Pakistan picked up two wickets in the powerplay, with scorecard reading 58-2. However, New Zealand were lifted to 204 all out in 19.5 overs, courtesy a 44-ball 94 from Mark Chapman as he hit 11 fours and four sixes.
Michael Bracewell (31, 18b, 3x4s, 2x6s) was the other significant run-getter for the home side. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf picked up three wickets while Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed bagged two wickets apiece.
Scores in brief:
3rd T20I - Pakistan beat New Zealand by nine wickets at the Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand 204 all out, 19.5 overs (Mark Chapman 94, Michael Bracewell 31; Haris Rauf 3-29, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-24, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-36, Abrar Ahmed 2-43)
Pakistan 207-1, 16 overs (Hasan Nawaz 105 not out, Salman Ali Agha 51 not out, Mohammad Haris 41)
Player of the match – Hasan Nawaz (Pakistan)
T20I series schedule:
1st T20I – New Zealand won by nine wickets at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd T20I – New Zealand won by five wickets at University Oval, Dunedin
3rd T20I – Pakistan won by nine wickets at Eden Park, Auckland
4th T20I – 23 March; Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui at 11.15am PKT
5th T20I – 26 March; Sky Stadium, Wellington at 11.15am PKT
