Pakistan equal all-time T20 record for fastest ever 200-plus run chase

Having come into the series with a new-look T20I squad which didn't include either Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's new era in the format got off to a difficult start when they lost both of the first two matches heavily. Of particular concern was their batting, after they were bowled out for 91 in Christchurch and restricted to 135-9 off 15 overs in the shortened second T20I. However, when the series moved to Auckland, they hit back in stunning style against the growing concerns.

After captain Salman Ali Agha elected to field first, New Zealand pummelled Pakistan's bowlers around the park. Mark Chapman hit 94 off 44 balls batting at three, while stand-in BlackCap captain Michael Bracewell played a lower-order cameo to get the home side past 200 late in the innings. Abrar Ahmed came in for particular punishment, conceding 43 runs off his three overs. At the end of the innings, Pakistan were faced with their joint second-highest-ever chase to win the game.

Pakistan have pulled off their second-highest successful run chase in men's T20Is :clap:

They scored at 12.93 runs an over against New Zealand – their highest-ever innings run rate :boom: pic.twitter.com/apVhsjKj3j

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 21, 2025

However, Mohammad Haris got them off to a blistering start, whacking Kyle Jamieson for two sixes in the first over of the chase. Between and Hasan Nawaz, Pakistan reached 67-0 off the first five overs, the opening duo bashing 10 boundaries in that time. After Haris was out three runs short of a rapid half-century in the sixth over, Nawaz took centre stage.

Having been out for ducks in both of his first two T20I outings, Nawaz's turnaround was remarkable. He scythed a six off James Neesham to reach his maiden half-century off just 25 balls in the ninth over, in which Pakistan also reached the 100 mark. He hit Ben Sears for three consecutive boundaries in the following over and sealed his century off the fifth ball of the 16th over off 44 balls. At that point, Pakistan needed just two runs to win, Nawaz hitting a four off the next ball to secure the result with 24 balls remaining.

By completing the chase in just 16 overs, Pakistan demolished the record for the fastest-ever 200-plus run chase in all men's T20s. Previously, the record was held by South Africa, who scored 208-2 in 17.4 overs batting second against West Indies in 2007. Pakistan's own previous best was also blitzed by two overs, having chased 205 against South Africa in 18 overs in 2021.

The result also keeps Pakistan alive in the five-match series, with the scoreline now 2-1 with two to play.

Full list: Fastest-ever 200-plus T20 run-chases

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