Hasan Nawaz set a new record for the fastest T20I century by a Pakistani, scoring 105 runs off 45 balls in 44 deliveries during a match against New Zealand in Auckland. His performance led Pakistan to a nine-wicket victory, while he became the first Pakistani to score a T20I century in New Zealand. This was his first T20I hundred, joining the ranks of only three other Pakistani players to achieve this feat.
In a remarkable display of skill, Hasan Nawaz has set a new record for the fastest T20I century by a Pakistani batsman. This outstanding achievement occurred during the third match of the five-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan at Auckland’s Eden Park. Nawaz reached his century in a mere 44 balls, surpassing Babar Azam’s previous record of 49 balls, established against South Africa on April 14, 2021.
Hasan Nawaz’s breathtaking innings not only broke records but also propelled Pakistan to a decisive nine-wicket victory. He scored an impressive 105 runs without losing his wicket off just 45 balls, effectively leading his team to chase a target of 205 runs in only 16 overs. His innings featured key partnerships, including a 74-run opening stand with Mohammad Haris, who made 41 runs, and a dominant 133-run partnership with captain Salman Ali Agha, who scored 51 runs not out.
Making history, Nawaz became the first Pakistani batter to achieve a T20I century in New Zealand, as noted by ESPNcricinfo. It is significant to mention that he had previously recorded ducks in his first two T20Is. This match marked his international debut. Babar Azam is the only other Pakistani to have scored a T20I hundred against New Zealand, while Nawaz’s achievement was his first T20 ton, adding to his tally of two fifties.
Overall, Nawaz is now the fourth Pakistani player to score a T20I century, joining Babar Azam, Ahmed Shehzad, and Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar being the only one with multiple T20I centuries, totaling three.
In the earlier stages of the match, Mark Chapman played a crucial role for New Zealand, scoring a solid 94 runs. However, he faced limited support from his teammates. Pakistan’s bowling attack was pivotal to their success, led by fast bowler Haris Rauf, who took three wickets for 29 runs in four overs. SHAheen Shah Afridi, Abbas Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed made vital contributions by each taking two wickets.
Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed significantly to the victory, finishing with an unbeaten 51 runs off 31 balls, comprising six fours and two sixes. This innings marked his first fifty in T20Is, resulting in a total of 165 runs across eight innings at an average of 23.57, with 115 of his runs coming against New Zealand at an impressive average of 57.50. This encounter also marked his fifth half-century in the T20 format.
In summary, Hasan Nawaz’s remarkable achievement of scoring the fastest T20I century by a Pakistani batsman not only set a new record but also played a crucial role in securing a convincing victory for Pakistan. His performance highlighted his batting prowess as he became an instrumental figure in the match. Additionally, Nawaz’s success signifies a promising beginning in his international career, alongside notable contributions from his teammates.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
