Pakistan dominate New Zealand in the third T20I to stay in the series hunt
AUCKLAND: A collective bowling display, coupled with a sensational century from rising opener Hasan Nawaz, propelled Pakistan to a commanding nine-wicket triumph over New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park on Friday.
Chasing a formidable 205, the visitors comfortably reached the target with 24 balls to spare, losing just one wicket in the process.
Openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz provided Pakistan with a blazing start, forging a 74-run partnership before Haris fell on the last delivery of the powerplay.
Haris played a brisk knock of 41 off 20 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes.
Following his dismissal, skipper Salman Ali Agha joined Hasan at the crease, and the duo guided Pakistan to a stunning win with an unbroken 133-run stand.
Hasan remained unbeaten on a spectacular 105 off 45 balls, hammering 10 fours and seven sixes, while Agha contributed a solid 51 off 31 deliveries, striking six fours and two sixes.
Jacob Duffy claimed the only wicket for New Zealand.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, the hosts endured a shaky start as Shaheen Shah Afridi, assisted by a stunning one-handed catch from Haris Rauf, dismissed explosive opener Finn Allen in the very first over.
Tim Seifert then partnered with Mark Chapman for a brief 40-run stand before falling to Rauf after a quickfire 19 off nine deliveries.
Chapman, however, launched an aggressive counterattack, smashing 11 fours and four sixes in a blistering innings.
He built strong partnerships with Daryl Mitchell (17) and James Neesham (three) before eventually falling to Afridi, having top-scored with 94 off 44 balls. His dismissal saw New Zealand slump to 141/5 in 12.5 overs.
The hosts then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Abrar Ahmed dismissed wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay (nine) and Kyle Jamieson (zero) off consecutive deliveries, reducing them further to 164/7 in 15 overs.
However, skipper Michael Bracewell’s determined knock helped New Zealand push towards a competitive total.
He struck 31 off 18 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, before falling to Rauf in the penultimate over.
Rauf was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with 3/29 in his four overs. Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Abbas Afridi claimed two wickets each, while Shadab Khan picked up one.
The two teams will now travel to Mount Maunganui for the fourth T20I on Sunday.
