Opener Hasan Nawaz struck a record-breaking maiden century Friday as Pakistan crushed New Zealand by nine wickets in the third Twenty20 to keep the series alive.
After scoring a duck in each of the two opening games — the first innings' of his international career — Nawaz rebounded with a stunning 105 not out in Auckland as the tourists raced to 207-1 in response to New Zealand's 204.
The 23-year-old's ton came off 44 balls, the fastest by any Pakistan player in a T20 international.
It ensured his team reached the target with four full overs to spare, in a stark reversal of form after heavy losses in Christchurch and Dunedin.
Nawaz put his early failures behind him with a sparkling knock featuring shots all around the wicket, including a series of audacious ramp shots.
He admitted he was worried about his selection prospects after two failures and thanked captain Salman Agha and vice-captain Shadab Khan for showing faith in his ability.
"The way I got out in the first two matches, I was very disheartened, but the captain and Shadab supported me, told me I am a match-winning player and that helped me," he said.
"I wanted to score my first run in international cricket, that's what I was thinking. After I scored one run, the pressure was released and I wanted to win the game."
The right-hander peppered the short Eden Park boundaries with 10 fours and seven sixes, bringing up victory with successive fours off Kyle Jamieson in the 16th over.
The first of those shots took Nawaz to 100, five balls faster than the previous Pakistan record-holder - Babar Azam against South Africa in 2021.
Fellow opener Mohammad Haris scored 41 off 20 while captain Salman Agha was unbeaten on 51 off 31.
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell conceded they had few answers to halt Nawaz.
"You've got to tip your hat to Nawaz there, the way that he played was unbelievable," Bracewell said.
"It's pretty tough to defend out here but when a guy plays like that, it's really tough."
Earlier, New Zealand looked well placed after Mark Chapman hit a rapid 94 before they were dismissed in their final over.
Chapman dominated after New Zealand were asked to bat, tallying 11 fours and four sixes from just 44 balls faced.
The rest of the home side's batsmen struggled to get going, aside from Bracewell's 31.
Experienced seamer Haris Rauf bowled Bracewell and finished with Pakistan's best figures of 3-29.
With this win, Pakistan has kept their hopes alive in the series, which now stands at 2-1 in favor of New Zealand. The final two matches of the series will be played in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.
Game four of the five-match series is in Mount Maunganui on Sunday. AFP
Salman Agha reflects on fantastic win in third T20I
Pakistan T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, praised his team's outstanding performance following their comfortable nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series on Friday.
The match was crucial for Pakistan as they needed a win to keep their hopes alive in the series, and Agha expressed satisfaction with the way his team played.
"Outstanding performance. Proper game we have played, the bowlers started really well and then the two youngsters batted really well. If you back the youngsters, they will do well like today. 200 is a par score on this wicket, and I just said to the guys we can chase this down if you bat well, he said.
Agha was also full of praise for the bowlers' efforts, who bowled out the hosts for 204 runs. "The bowlers did really well, restricting them to 200 was a very good effort from the bowlers, and I'm very happy," he added.
In a crucial do-or-die situation, Agha emphasized that the team was focused on enjoying the game.
"It was do or die and we just wanted to go out and enjoy ourselves today. Looking forward to the next game as well," he further added.
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