Auckland [New Zealand], March 21: Pakistan kept the five-match T20I series alive with a dominant nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I at Auckland on Friday, reducing the series deficit to 2-1. Pakistan chased down New Zealand’s imposing total of 204 runs in just 16 overs, with Hasan Nawaz smashing a blistering century.
Nawaz’s first-ever T20I ton came in a remarkable 44 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I century by a Pakistan player, surpassing Babar Azam’s previous record of 49 balls against South Africa in 2021.
New Zealand’s Innings
After winning the toss and electing to field first, Pakistan’s pacers made early inroads. Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed New Zealand’s openers—Tim Seifert (19 off 9 balls) and Finn Allen (0)—with New Zealand struggling at 43/2 after 4.1 overs.
A 55-run partnership between Mark Chapman (94 off 44 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes) and Daryl Mitchell (17 off 11 balls) briefly stabilized New Zealand’s innings. Shadab Khan’s brilliant catch off Rauf’s bowling dismissed Mitchell, leaving New Zealand at 98/3 in the 9th over.
Chapman continued to attack, hitting Abbas Afridi and Salman Agha for boundaries. However, it was Shaheen who delivered the crucial breakthrough, dismissing Chapman with a leading edge caught by Shadab, leaving New Zealand at 141/5 in the 12th over.
Despite further wickets falling, Michael Bracewell’s cameo (31 off 18 balls) helped New Zealand reach 200. They were eventually restricted to 204/5 in 19.5 overs, with Rauf (3/29) and Shaheen (2/36) leading Pakistan’s attack.
Pakistan’s Chase
Pakistan’s chase started with fireworks as Mohammad Haris hammered Kyle Jamieson for two sixes in the first over. Nawaz soon joined the assault, and Pakistan reached 50 in just four overs. Haris was dismissed for 41 (20 balls) after a spectacular catch by Mitch Hay off a Jacob Duffy bouncer, leaving Pakistan at 74/1 in the 5.5 overs.
Nawaz continued his blistering knock, reaching his maiden half-century in just 26 balls, with four fours and four sixes. Pakistan reached the 100-run mark in 8.1 overs and Nawaz unleashed two more fours and a six against Ben Sears in the 10th over.
Captain Agha also played a key role, hitting Duffy for two sixes and a four in the 13th over, bringing up Pakistan’s 150 in 12.2 overs. Agha continued his aggression, hitting a hat-trick of fours off Ish Sodhi in the 14th over to bring up a 100-run partnership in just 47 balls.
Agha reached his half-century in 31 balls, and Nawaz, after two ducks in the previous matches, completed his century in 44 balls with nine fours and seven sixes. He finished the match with a final six, as Pakistan wrapped up the chase in just 16 overs, finishing at 207/1. Agha remained unbeaten on 51* off 31 balls.
With this dominant win, Pakistan has kept the series alive, and the next two T20Is will decide the outcome of the series.