Pakistan stormed back in the five-match T20I series with a stunning nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I at Eden Park. The match was a high-scoring thriller, featuring a combined 411 runs, with Pakistan chasing down a formidable 205-run target in just 16 overs. Hasan Nawaz emerged as the hero, scoring a blistering century, the fastest by a Pakistani batter in T20Is.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 204 all out | 19.4 | Lost |
| Pakistan | 207/1 | 16 | Won by 9 wickets |
Key Performers
Pakistan Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| Hasan Nawaz | 105* | 45 | 10 | 7 |
| Salman Agha | 51* | 29 | 6 | 2 |
| Mohammed Haris | 41 | 20 | 5 | 2 |
New Zealand Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
| Mark Chapman | 94 | 44 | 11 | 4 |
| Michael Bracewell | 31 | 18 | 2 | 2 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 17 | 11 | 2 | 1 |
Pakistan’s Explosive Chase
The new opening duo of Hasan Nawaz and Mohammed Haris set the stage for Pakistan’s record-breaking chase. The pair added 74 runs in just 35 balls, taking full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions. Haris started aggressively, smashing two sixes in Kyle Jamieson’s first over, before falling for 41 in the sixth over.
After Haris’ dismissal, Nawaz took charge, reaching his fifty in just 26 balls. He continued to dominate, scoring freely against both spinners and pacers. Salman Agha played the perfect supporting role, ensuring Pakistan reached the target comfortably.
Pakistan’s Powerplay Performance
| Overs | Runs Scored | Wickets Lost |
| 1-6 | 75 | 1 |
Pakistan’s powerplay total of 75 was their highest in T20Is, surpassing their previous best of 73 against England in 2016.
Nawaz’s Record-Breaking Century
Nawaz’s 44-ball century was the fastest by a Pakistani batter in T20Is. He was dropped once on 68, but the New Zealand bowlers found it impossible to stop his aggressive stroke play. His innings was laced with 10 boundaries and 7 maximums, making it one of the most dominant T20I knocks in Pakistan’s history.
New Zealand’s Struggles with the Ball
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets |
| Jacob Duffy | 4 | 42 | 1 |
| Ben Sears | 3.2 | 48 | 0 |
| Ish Sodhi | 3 | 41 | 0 |
New Zealand bowlers failed to apply any pressure on Pakistan’s batters, as the pitch and dew factor heavily favored the batting side.
Chapman’s Heroic Effort for New Zealand
Despite the loss, Mark Chapman played a sensational knock of 94 off 44 balls. He was the backbone of New Zealand’s innings, finding gaps effortlessly and punishing the Pakistani bowlers. His strong bottom-hand play allowed him to clear the ropes with ease.
New Zealand’s Batting Progression
| Overs | Runs Scored | Wickets Lost |
| 1-6 | 57 | 2 |
| 7-10 | 45 | 1 |
| 11-15 | 62 | 3 |
| 16-20 | 40 | 4 |
New Zealand started strong but lost key wickets in the latter half, preventing them from posting an even bigger total.
Haris Rauf’s Impact with the Ball
Haris Rauf was Pakistan’s standout bowler, picking up 3 wickets for 29 runs. His two double-wicket overs in the death overs helped Pakistan restrict New Zealand to 204.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 29 | 3 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 4 | 34 | 2 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 3.4 | 41 | 2 |
Final Thoughts
With this win, Pakistan has kept the five-match series alive, reducing New Zealand’s lead to 2-1. Hasan Nawaz’s breathtaking century and Haris Rauf’s bowling brilliance ensured Pakistan walked away with a convincing win. The series now heads into the fourth match, with Pakistan looking to level the score.
