Hasan Nawaz made a stunning T20I debut by scoring an unbeaten 105 off 45 balls, leading Pakistan to victory against New Zealand and eclipsing Babar Azam’s previous record for the fastest century in the format for Pakistan. This win keeps the series alive for Pakistan, trailing 2-1.
In a remarkable display of talent, opening batter Hasan Nawaz made headlines by scoring an unbeaten 105 runs off just 45 balls in his third T20 International match. His performance was pivotal as Pakistan successfully chased down New Zealand’s challenging total of 204 runs in only 16 overs, showcasing his extraordinary skill and determination.
The 22-year-old cricketer had previously experienced challenges, registering two ducks in his initial T20I outings. However, this record-breaking century marked a resounding return to form, as it became the fastest-ever hundred scored by a Pakistani player in Men’s T20 International cricket, achieved in 44 balls. This feat surpassed the previous record held by former captain Babar Azam, who had scored his hundred in 49 balls against South Africa in 2021.
Fastest centuries in Men’s T20Is for Pakistan include:
– Hasan Nawaz against New Zealand in 44 balls,
– Babar Azam against South Africa in 49 balls,
– Ahmed Shehzad against Bangladesh in 58 balls,
– Babar Azam against New Zealand in 58 balls,
– Babar Azam against England in 62 balls.
Nawaz’s innings featured an impressive array of 10 fours and 7 sixes. He reached his half-century within a swift 26 balls, forming a crucial 74-run partnership with Mohammad Haris, who contributed 41 runs. Continuing his aggressive batting, Nawaz reached his century off just 18 additional balls. Furthermore, he recorded the highest individual score for Pakistan against New Zealand in Men’s T20Is, surpassing Babar Azam’s 101 not out from 2023.
Captain Salman Ali Agha played an essential role in sealing the victory alongside Nawaz, ensuring that Pakistan remained competitive in the series, trailing 2-1. New Zealand’s Mark Chapman also made a notable impact by scoring 94 runs, contributing to their total of 204 runs before being bowled out. Haris Rauf was instrumental with the ball, taking three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed supported with two wickets each.
In conclusion, Hasan Nawaz’s performance not only solidified his place in the record books as the fastest centurion for Pakistan in Men’s T20Is but also exemplified resilience following his initial setbacks. His record-breaking innings alongside effective contributions from his teammates underscored a pivotal win for Pakistan, keeping the series competitive against New Zealand. With promising talent such as Nawaz, the future of Pakistani cricket appears bright.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
