Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten knock of 105 runs powered Pakistan to a commanding nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
Pakistan’s chase of the challenging 205-run target got off to a solid start with openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz building a strong partnership. After Haris was dismissed for 41, captain Salman Ali Agha joined Nawaz, and the duo successfully chased down the total in just 16 overs.
Earlier, New Zealand set a formidable target of 205 runs, courtesy of Mark Chapman’s explosive 94-run innings, which included 15 boundaries. Despite losing early wickets to the Pakistani pace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, Chapman’s efforts, supported by Daryl Mitchell (17) and Michael Bracewell (31), helped the hosts post a competitive total.
Haris Rauf led Pakistan’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed secured two wickets each.
The victory keeps Pakistan’s hopes alive in the series after New Zealand had taken a 2-0 lead by winning the second T20I in Dunedin. In that match, the hosts chased down Pakistan’s 135-run target in a rain-shortened 15-over contest, securing a five-wicket win. Despite captain Salman Ali Agha’s 28-ball 46, Pakistan couldn’t defend their total as New Zealand’s Tim Seifert and Finn Allen dismantled the bowling attack.
Teams:
New Zealand (Probable): Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (capt), Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy/Ben Sears
Pakistan (Probable): Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali
