NZ vs PAK: Hasan Nawaz hits Pakistan’s fastest T20I hundred in record run chase-OxBig News Network

Pakistan did a Pakistan on Friday in Auckland. After being sub-par in the first two T20Is of a five-match series against New Zealand, the tourists produced a sensational show with the bat to chase down 205 in just 16 overs in the third T20I. 22-year-old Hasan Nawaz, playing only his third T20I for Pakistan, hit their fastest hundred, breaking Babar Azam’s record on March 21. | FULL SCORECARD, PAK vs NZ |

Pakistan chased down 205 with nine wickets to spare and kept the five-match series alive. Captain Salman Ali Agha was unbeaten on 51 off 31 while the real star of Pakistan’s chase was Hasan Nawaz. After getting out for ducks in the first two matches of his T20I career, Hasan was on fire in the crunch match of the series. He hit 105 off just 45 deliveries.

“I was disheartened by the way I got out in the first two games but the captain and Shadab Khan backed me to play my natural game. The only thing on my mind was to get a single first, and I relaxed after getting that first run in international cricket,” the youngster said after winning the Player of the Match award.

Hasan got to his hundred in just 44 deliveries, scripting a new record in T20I cricket for the 2009 world champions. Previously, Babar Azam held the record for the fastest T20I hundred for Pakistan – 49 balls against South Africa in 2021.

FASTEST HUNDREDS FOR PAKISTAN IN T20Is

1. Hasan Nawaz – 44 balls vs New Zealand in 2025
2. Babar Azam – 49 balls vs South Africa in 2021
3. Ahmad Shahzad – 58 balls vs Bangladesh in 2014

205 was also Pakistan’s second successful run chase in T20I cricket and the joint-highest in overseas conditions.

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL CHASES FOR PAKISTAN IN T20IS

1. 208 for 3 vs West Indies in 18.5 overs in Karachi in 2021
2. 207 for 1 vs New Zealand in 16 overs in Auckland in 2025
3. 205 for 1 vs south Africa in 18 overs in Centurion in 2021

INTENT AND FEARLESSNESS

The right-hander struck seven sixes and ten boundaries in a knock that will provide a significant confidence boost to the Pakistan camp, which had been under heavy criticism following their Champions Trophy debacle.

Hasan, 22, forged a 74-run partnership with Mohammad Haris, giving Pakistan a sensational start in the powerplay.

In the first two T20Is, Pakistan were guilty of throwing their wickets away with reckless shot-making. While they remained intent on attacking early, their shot selection was much more disciplined on Friday.

Haris set the tone for the chase with a blistering 20-ball 41, which included three sixes and four boundaries. However, he fell to a bouncer from Jacob Duff during the powerplay.

That proved to be New Zealand’s only breakthrough of the match, as captain Salman Ali Agha maintained the aggressive approach. Neither batter slowed down, with both continuing their big-hitting display, embodying the fearless style of play that Pakistan had vowed to adopt on this tour of New Zealand.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand posted 204, thanks to Mark Chapman’s 44-ball 94. Captain Michael Bracewell pitched in with a quick-fire 31, but there was no real contribution from the rest of the batting line-up.

Pakistan’s bowling unit fared much better as Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets, including one with the new ball, thanks to a stunning catch from Haris Rauf.

The express pacer Haris picked three wickets whille spinner Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two wickets in an over. Abbas Afridi also took two wickets in a collective bowling show from Pakistan.

Published By:

Akshay Ramesh

Published On:

Mar 21, 2025