After a couple of ducks in his first two T20I matches, opener Hasan Nawaz bounced back by slamming the fastest T20I century for Pakistan against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday (March 21).
Nawaz, one of the several new additions to Pakistan’s T20I line-up against New Zealand, had the worst possible start to his career. Making his debut in the first match of the series, he scored a two-ball duck as the tourists suffered their heaviest defeat in the format. The second match didn’t bring a change in fortune either, as he became the sixth player from a full-member nation to be dismissed for two consecutive ducks in his first two T20Is.
With Pakistan trailing 0-2 after the first two games, Nawaz bounced back in the third match with a stunning century, helping the visitors chase down 205 quite comfortably. Nawaz reached his T20I hundred in just 44 balls, becoming the fastest Pakistan batter to achieve the feat in the format. In doing so, he surpassed Babar Azam’s previous record of 49 balls, set against South Africa in 2021.
One of the greatest chases you will ever see! 👏
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 21, 2025
Hasan Nawaz's magnificent ton sets up a remarkable win in the third T20I 💥#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/tJAimMs24U
Nawaz finished unbeaten on 105 off 45 deliveries, scoring as many as 10 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 233.33. He now has the fourth most runs among Pakistan batters after three T20I innings. Only Mukhtar Ahmed (182), Hussain Talat (135), and Haider Ali (127) scored more at that point in their career.
Nawaz's fellow opener Mohammad Haris (41 off 20) and captain Salman Ali Agha (51* off 31) also played their part as Pakistan gunned down the total with four overs and nine wickets remaining. In the process, they pulled off the fastest-ever 200-plus run-chase in T20Is, surpassing South Africa, who chased West Indies' 205-6 in just 17.4 overs in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Overall, it is also the fastest chase with a 200+ target in all T20s.
