In a nail-biting encounter at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21, 2025, Pakistan made a stunning comeback in the T20I series against New Zealand by clinching a dominating 9-wicket victory in the third match. After losing the first two games, the visitors needed a win to stay alive in the series, and they delivered spectacularly.
The match began with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision that proved to be astute as they restricted New Zealand to 204 all out. The Kiwis started with a strong opening partnership, but their innings was marred by a pivotal collapse. Mark Chapman emerged as the highlight for New Zealand, scoring an impressive 94 runs off just 44 deliveries. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, he fell short of a well-deserved century, dismissed while attempting to turn the tide of the game further.
Pakistan's bowlers, particularly Haris Rauf, who claimed three crucial wickets, kept the hosts in check. Rauf's efforts, alongside contributions from fellow bowlers, allowed Pakistan to limit New Zealand significantly, even as the latter threatened to push past 200 runs.
Pakistan's chase of 205 commenced energetically with their opening batsmen, Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz, looking to set the tone early. Despite a promising start, Haris was dismissed for 41 runs, leaving Nawaz to continue the assault.
The real fireworks began when Nawaz settled in, showcasing his power-hitting capabilities. At just 22 years old, he brought up his maiden T20I century with remarkable aggression, smashing 10 fours and 7 sixes during his innings of 105 from just 45 balls. This innings marked the fastest T20I century by a Pakistan batter, a feat that surely put his name in the record books.
Pakistan's captain, Salman Agha, also contributed to the chase, scoring a brisk 50 of his own, supporting Nawaz throughout the innings. With the asking run rate never spiraling out of control, the pair maneuvered smoothly through New Zealand's bowling attack, reaching the target with four overs to spare.
After the match, Agha expressed his satisfaction with the team's approach, stating, "I told my team that 200 is a par score and they can chase it down." He praised Nawaz for his brilliant performance, highlighting the importance of the match as a do-or-die situation for the young squad.
In stark contrast, New Zealand's captain Michael Bracewell acknowledged the efforts of Hasan Nawaz, stating, "We need to be better with the bat in future matches." He accepted the challenge posed by the fast-scoring Pakistan side, which highlighted room for improvement in New Zealand’s strategy moving forward.
The victory not only revives Pakistan’s hopes in this five-match series, now trailing 1-2, but also sets the platform for potential future triumphs. As they gear up for the fourth T20I at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Pakistan will look to build on this momentum.
With two matches still remaining, fans can expect another thrilling contest as both sides vie for dominance in this exciting T20I series. The next match is scheduled for March 23rd, and both teams will prepare for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle.
