AUCKLAND: Young opening batter Hasan Nawaz etched his name in the history books during the third T20I against New Zealand, breaking the record of star batter Babar Azam.
Chasing a mammoth 205-run target, Hasan smashed an unbeaten century to power Pakistan to a thumping nine-wicket victory.
The 22-year-old batter, who made his debut in the first match of the series, bagged ducks in his previous two games before turning things around today.
He played an unbeaten 105-run knock from 45 balls, during which he hammered 17 boundaries, including seven sixes.
The young batter reached the three-figure mark in 44 balls, breaking Babar Azam’s record for the fastest century in T20I cricket for Pakistan. Babar took 49 balls to complete his century during a t20I against South Africa back in 2021.
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Fastest T20I hundreds for Pakistan
44 balls – Hasan Nawaz vs NZ, Auckland, Today
49 balls – Babar Azam vs SA, Centurion, 2021
58 balls – Ahmed Shehzad vs BAN, Dhaka, 2014
58 balls – Babar Azam vs NZ, Lahore, 2023
Pakistan opted to field first after winning the toss and bundled New Zealand for 204 despite a quick-fire knock of 94 runs by Mark Chapman.
In response, the Green Shirts chased the target in 16 overs, courtesy of Hasan’s century as well as captain Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten half-century and Mohammad Haris’ 41.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan and New Zealand will play the final two matches of the series in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.
Following the conclusion of the T20I series, the two sides will face off in a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is set for March 29 in Napier, followed by the second on April 2 in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the third and final match on April 5.
READ: Hasan Nawaz’s ton powers Pakistan to dominant victory over New Zealand