Pakistan youngster surpasses Babar's feat with record-breaking ton

Playing in just his third T20I, opening batter Hasan Nawaz stole the spotlight with a blistering, unbeaten 45-ball 105, leading the charge with the bat as Pakistan chased down New Zealand’s 204 in just 16 overs.

The 22-year-old, who had registered two ducks on the trot in his first two T20Is, bounced back strongly to etch his name in the Pakistan record books.

The record-breaking ton – which came off 44 balls – was the fastest-ever by a Pakistan batter and sixth hundred overall in Men's T20Is for the Men in Green. Nawaz bettered former skipper Babar Azam, whose ton against South Africa in 2021 came off 49 balls.

Fastest 100 for Pakistan in Men's T20Is (by balls faced)

Nawaz’s outstanding performance included 10 fours and seven sixes at the top of the order, as Pakistan lost just the single wicket of Mohammad Haris (41) in the run-chase.

The batter reached his half-century off just 26 balls, combining with Haris as Pakistan got off to a rapid start by forging a 74-run stand in just 5.5 overs.

Nawaz didn’t slow down from that point, racing his way to his century off just the next 18 deliveries.

The batter also smashed Pakistan’s highest-ever individual score against New Zealand in Men's T20Is, once again bettering Babar's 101* from 2023 in Lahore.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha joined in and closed out the win along with the 22-year-old, keeping the series alive for Pakistan at 2-1.

Earlier, Mark Chapman was in sublime form for New Zealand, scoring a thumping 94 as the home side were bowled out for 204 off the penultimate ball of their innings. Haris Rauf grabbed three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi and Abrar Ahmed scalped two each.