Young batter Hasan Nawaz opens up about his smashing knock against New Zealand in the third T20I. Scoring 105 runs of 45 balls in just his third T20 international, Hasan Nawaz cruised Pakistan to victory keeping the hopes alive for Pakistan in the series.
Nawaz received the Player of the Match award. He is receiving praise from critics and cricket fans alike for playing a fearless game. In his post-match speech, Nawaz credited captain Salman Ali Agha and vice-captain Shadab Khan for supporting him and encouraging him after he failed in the first two T20I matches.
“The way I got out in the first two matches, I was very disheartened, but the captain and Shadab supported me, and told me I was a match-winning player and that helped me.
He credited Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan for supporting him. Nawaz said that while playing in the match, he had the aim to score a single first in international cricket, after which he felt relaxed.
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“I just had in my mind that I need to score a single first in international cricket and then after that I felt relaxed and the pressure was released.
“I had so much backing and I am so grateful to my captain.”
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.
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.