Hasan Nawaz Achieves Record-Breaking Maiden Century in Pakistan’s Victory over New Zealand
Hasan Nawaz scored a record-breaking 105 not out, leading Pakistan to a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20 match. This performance followed two scores of zero earlier in the series. Nawaz’s century was achieved off 44 balls, marking it as the fastest T20 ton for Pakistan. The match highlighted a dramatic turnaround in form for Pakistan, as well as key contributions from Haris and Agha.
In Auckland, Pakistan’s opener Hasan Nawaz achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring a record-breaking maiden century, leading his team to a convincing nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20 match. This victory kept the series alive after Nawaz had suffered two ducks in his international career’s initial games. His brilliant 105 not out came from just 44 balls, setting the record as the fastest century by a Pakistani player in T20 internationals.
Nawaz’s impressive performance allowed Pakistan to chase down New Zealand’s target of 204, reaching 207-1 with four overs remaining. His innings included a stunning array of shots, featuring ten fours and seven sixes. Nawaz’s century was completed with consecutive fours off bowler Kyle Jamieson, surpassing Babar Azam’s previous record for the fastest T20 century by a Pakistani.
Along with Nawaz, fellow opener Mohammad Haris contributed significantly with 41 runs off 20 balls, and captain Salman Agha finished unbeaten on 51 runs off 31 balls. Prior to Pakistan’s innings, New Zealand’s Mark Chapman had provided a solid foundation for his team with an aggressive 94 runs, bolstered by 11 fours and four sixes; however, the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Captain Michael Bracewell added 31 runs, but the team’s total collapsed with Haris Rauf taking the best figures for Pakistan with 3 wickets for 29 runs.
The next match, the fourth in the five-game series, is scheduled to take place in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
In summary, Hasan Nawaz’s record-setting century played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s resounding victory over New Zealand. This match illustrated a significant comeback for Nawaz following his earlier performance difficulties, showcasing his skill and determination. With the series still in play, the forthcoming match promises to be equally competitive, building on the excitement generated by this victory.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
