Hasan Nawaz's century, strong bowling lead Pakistan to victory in third T20I against New Zealand

A sensational century from emerging opener Hasan Nawaz, followed by a strong combined bowling performance, guided Pakistan to a dominant nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park on Friday. With this victory, Pakistan kept their hopes alive in the series.

Set a challenging target of 205 runs, Pakistan made light work of the chase, reaching the target comfortably with 24 balls to spare and losing only one wicket. 

Pakistan’s openers, Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz, gave the team a flying start, putting on a 74-run partnership before Haris was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the batting powerplay. Haris played a quick-fire knock, hitting four fours and three sixes to score 41 off just 20 balls. 

After Haris’s dismissal, captain Salman Ali Agha joined Nawaz at the crease, and together they formed an unbeaten 133-run partnership, guiding Pakistan to victory. Nawaz’s exceptional century anchored the chase, finishing with a remarkable 105 not out off 55 balls.

Earlier, New Zealand, batting first, got off to a shaky start. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi, supported by a brilliant one-handed catch from Haris Rauf, dismissed the dangerous Finn Allen in the first over. In-form Tim Seifert then teamed up with Daryl Mitchell to add 40 runs for the second wicket, but Seifert was dismissed for 19 off just nine balls by Rauf.

Following Seifert's departure, Chapman took charge of New Zealand’s innings, aggressively smashing 11 fours and four sixes in a blistering 94-run knock off 44 balls. Chapman’s belligerent innings helped New Zealand recover, as he put together strong partnerships with Mitchell (17) and James Neesham (3). However, Pakistan’s bowlers fought back, and Chapman was dismissed by Afridi, leaving New Zealand at 141/5 in 12.5 overs.

New Zealand's situation worsened as Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed took two quick wickets, dismissing Mitchell Hay (9) and Kyle Jamieson (0) on consecutive deliveries, leaving the hosts further reduced to 164/7 in 15 overs. 

Despite a valiant knock of 31 off 18 balls by New Zealand's captain Michael Bracewell, who hit three fours and two sixes, Pakistan's bowlers kept up the pressure, with Rauf picking up his third wicket in the penultimate over.

Rauf was the standout bowler for Pakistan, finishing with figures of 3 for 29 from his four overs. Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Abbas Afridi each took two wickets, while Shadab Khan contributed one wicket to Pakistan’s bowling effort.

Pakistan’s impressive bowling and Hasan Nawaz’s remarkable century ensured a comprehensive victory, keeping the series alive as they bounced back after losing the first two matches.