Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz made history on March 21, 2025, by scoring the fastest century by a Pakistani in T20 Internationals during the third T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. Nawaz achieved the remarkable feat in just 44 balls, leading Pakistan to a spectacular nine-wicket victory.
Chasing a target of 205 after New Zealand posted 204 runs, Nawaz's explosive batting was instrumental in the team's win, keeping the five-match series alive at 2-1. With his unbeaten score of 105, he became the first player from Pakistan to score a T20I century in less than 45 balls, breaking the previous record held by Babar Azam, who scored a hundred in 49 balls against South Africa in 2021.
Pakistan got off to a blistering start, with an opening partnership of 74 runs between Mohammad Haris, who made 41 off 20 balls, and Nawaz. The innings saw Nawaz dominate the New Zealand bowlers, hitting 10 fours and 7 sixes. He reached fifty in just 26 balls, showcasing his power-hitting abilities.
The match began with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to field first. New Zealand's innings started shakily, with Tim Seifert dismissed for 19 runs and Finn Allen for a duck. A solid 55-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell helped stabilize New Zealand's innings, but it wasn't enough to set a stronger total. Chapman stood out, smashing a brisk 94 off 44 balls, which included 11 fours and 4 sixes.
Pakistan's bowlers, led by Haris Rauf with impressive figures of 3 for 29, kept the New Zealand batters at bay. The Kiwis managed to reach the 200-run mark in the final over of their innings, finishing at 204 in 19.5 overs.
As Pakistan began their chase, Nawaz quickly took center stage, supported by Haris and later extending his partnership with captain Salman Agha, who finished unbeaten with 51 runs from 31 balls. Nawaz's century came through a series of boundary-laden strokes, and he secured victory by hitting successive fours off Kyle Jamieson.
This performance came after Nawaz faced pressure from scoring ducks in his first two T20I matches. After the game, he expressed relief and determination, stating, 'After scoring one run, the pressure was released and I just wanted to win the game.'
Salman Agha commended the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of backing young talents. Nawaz's remarkable innings not only marked a turning point for him but also revitalized Pakistan's hopes in the series.
In summary, Hasan Nawaz's record-breaking century has become a landmark moment in T20 cricket, illustrating the potential of young talent in the sport. As the series continues, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches where both teams will strive for victory.
