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Hasan Nawaz slams the fastest-ever Men's T20I century by a Pakistan batter, off 44 balls.
In just his third T20I, Hasan Nawaz stole the show with a blistering unbeaten 105 off 45 balls
In just his third T20I, Hasan Nawaz stole the show with a blistering unbeaten 105 off 45 balls, powering Pakistan to a stunning chase of New Zealand’s 204 in just 16 overs.
The 22-year-old, who had started his T20I career with two ducks, bounced back in style to etch his name in Pakistan’s record books. His 44-ball century became the fastest ever by a Pakistan batter, surpassing Babar Azam’s 49-ball ton against South Africa in 2021. It was also Pakistan’s sixth T20I hundred and their highest individual score against New Zealand, overtaking Babar’s 101* in Lahore (2023).
Opening with Mohammad Haris (41), Nawaz helped forge a blistering 74-run stand in just 5.5 overs. He raced to his fifty in 26 balls before accelerating to his hundred in the next 18 deliveries, finishing with 10 fours and seven sixes. Skipper Salman Ali Agha then guided Pakistan home, keeping the series alive at 2-1.
Earlier, Mark Chapman’s explosive 94 powered New Zealand to 204, but Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Haris Rauf (3 wickets), along with Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed (two each), ensured it wasn’t enough.
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International games
Namibia vs Canada, 3rd T20I
Match abandoned due to rain (No toss)
Saliva ban lifted for IPL 2025, following captains' meeting in Mumbai.
Bowlers will once again be allowed to apply saliva on the ball in IPL 2025 after a majority of franchise captains pushed for the change during a meeting with IPL officials at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
Many captains agreed that the saliva ban, enforced by the ICC and followed globally, was making reverse swing nearly impossible, especially in white-ball cricket. Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Siraj welcomed the decision, calling it "excellent news" for bowlers. "When the ball is not doing anything, saliva can help generate reverse swing," he told PTI. "Scrubbing the ball on the shirt isn’t enough, but saliva helps maintain the shine."
The saliva ban was first introduced in May 2020 as a temporary Covid-19 measure before the ICC made it permanent in 2022. While bowlers could still use sweat to shine the ball, several players and experts had called for an alternative. Jasprit Bumrah had previously suggested a replacement for saliva, and Mohammed Shami recently urged the ICC to lift the ban, arguing that reverse swing makes the game more exciting.
Shami’s views were echoed by former bowlers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee. Southee pointed out that modern ODI scores are regularly exceeding 300 and that bowlers need some advantage. "That rule was introduced during Covid, but if saliva can help bowlers, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be brought back," he said on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day.
“I always enjoyed my cricket. And I always aspired to be better."
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On This Day
In a thrilling World Cup semi-final in windy Auckland, Pakistan knocked out co-hosts New Zealand in dramatic fashion.
New Zealand posted 262 for 7, with Martin Crowe leading the charge with a blistering 91 off 83 balls before being run out. Pakistan’s chase started cautiously, but Inzamam-ul-Haq turned the game around with a blistering 60 off 37 balls, smashing powerful strokes into the open spaces. One towering straight hit seemed to hang in the wind forever before clearing the ropes for six.
Inzamam shared a crucial 87-run stand in ten overs with Javed Miandad before being run out by Chris Harris. With nine needed off eight balls, Moin Khan took charge, hammering Harris for a massive six, sending shockwaves around the ground, before sealing the win with a boundary behind square.
Coming tomorrow
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
New Zealand Women vs Australia Women, 2nd T20I