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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 23-year-old's ton came off 44 balls, the fastest by any Pakistan player in a T20 international.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nawaz put his early failures behind him with a sparkling knock featuring shots all around the wicket, including a series of audacious ramp shots.
\r\nHe 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"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."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.
\r\nFellow opener Mohammad Haris scored 41 off 20 while captain Salman Agha was unbeaten on 51 off 31.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell conceded they had few answers to halt Nawaz.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"You've got to tip your hat to Nawaz there, the way that he played was unbelievable," Bracewell said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's pretty tough to defend out here but when a guy plays like that, it's really tough."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, New Zealand looked well placed after Mark Chapman hit a rapid 94 before they were dismissed in their final over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chapman dominated after New Zealand were asked to bat, tallying 11 fours and four sixes from just 44 balls faced.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The rest of the home side's batsmen struggled to get going, aside from Bracewell's 31.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Experienced seamer Haris Rauf bowled Bracewell and finished with Pakistan's best figures of 3-29.<\/p>\r\n\r\n