A stunning century from rising opener Hasan Nawaz, followed by a formidable collective bowling display, steered Pakistan to a commanding nine-wicket triumph over New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park on Friday. With this win, Pakistan kept their chances alive in the series. Set a daunting target of 205 runs, Pakistan eased through the chase, reaching the target effortlessly with 24 balls to spare while losing just one wicket.
Maiden century by Hasan nawaz 105(42) what a magnificent innings from youngester…
Ghante and rizzu sharam on top.#PakistanCricket #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/HvgXkFkpA5— NOPE RAHMAN (@Rahman879792) March 21, 2025
Pakistan’s openers, Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz, provided the team with an explosive start, forging a 74-run stand before Haris was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the powerplay. Haris played a blistering knock, smashing four fours and three sixes to score 41 off just 20 balls.
Following Haris’s departure, skipper Salman Ali Agha joined Nawaz at the crease, and together they stitched an unbroken 133-run partnership, steering Pakistan to victory. Nawaz’s outstanding century anchored the chase finishing with a brilliant 105 not out off 55 balls.
Abrar Ahmed’s Double Blow Puts Pakistan in Control
Earlier, New Zealand starting their innings, got off to an unsteady beginning. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, aided by a stunning one-handed catch from Haris Rauf, removed the threatening Finn Allen in the opening over. The in-form Tim Seifert then partnered with Daryl Mitchell to contribute 40 runs for the second wicket, but Seifert was sent back for 19 off just nine deliveries by Rauf.
After Seifert’s exit, Chapman dominated New Zealand’s innings with 11 fours and four sixes in an aggressive 94-run innings scored off 44 balls. Chapman’s blistering innings came like a breath of fresh air to New Zealand as he added invaluable partnerships with Mitchell (17) and James Neesham (3). Pakistani bowlers also made a counterattack, but Afridi gave Chapman his departure, and New Zealand were stranded at 141/5 from 12.5 overs.
New Zealand’s troubles deepened as Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed struck twice in quick succession, removing Mitchell Hay (9) and Kyle Jamieson (0) on consecutive deliveries, reducing the hosts to 164/7 in 15 overs. Despite a valiant 31 off 18 balls from captain Michael Bracewell, who struck three fours and two sixes, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained the pressure, with Haris Rauf claiming his third wicket in the penultimate over.
Rauf was the standout performer, ending with 3 for 29 in four overs, while Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Abbas Afridi took two wickets each, and Shadab Khan contributed one to Pakistan’s total. Pakistan’s tight bowling coupled with Hasan Nawaz’s record century, ensured a comprehensive win keeping the series alive after their defeats in the first two games.
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