After dropping Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, Pakistan break 17-year-old record for fastest 200-plus run chase in T20Is

After dropping Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, Pakistan break 17-year-old record for fastest 200-plus run chase in T20Is
Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz celebrates scoring a century during the third T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21.

Highlights:

Pakistan chased down 205 with 9 wickets in hand and 4 overs to spare.

South Africa held the previous record which they created in 2007.

Pakistan's 22-year-old opener reached his century from just 44 balls.

A new-look Pakistan side scripted history at Eden Park, Auckland against New Zealand on March 21. Pakistan chased down the target of 205 in just 16 overs. This is the fastest 200-plus successful run chase in T20Is. They broke the record created in the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007 held by South Africa. 

When Gayle's century ended in losing cause

At Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, hosts South Africa chased down the target of 206 set by West Indies in 17.4 overs. Herschell Gibbs starred with an unbeaten 55-ball 90 as Chris Gayle's maiden T20I century went in vain.

More than 17 years later, it was Mark Chapman's 44-ball 94 that went in vain. 22-year-old opener Hasan Nawaz shrugged off two ducks with a record-breaking unbeaten 45-ball 105. 

Pakistan's previous record

Pakistan also hold the third spot on the list. In 2021, at Centurion's SuperSport Park, Pakistan chased down 204 with two overs to spare as Babar Azam scored 122 runs from 59 balls.

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Patience with youngsters pays off after dropping seniors

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam faced the axe in the T20Is as Salman Agha was named captain for the ongoing series on New Zealand soil. After two losses, they faced the Kiwis in a do or die game. Nawaz was under pressure after registering two ducks. He was yet to score a run in international cricket but went on to score the fastest T20I century for Pakistan breaking Babar's record.  Babar had reached his century from 49 balls in Centurion T20I. 

"Outstanding performance. Proper game we have played, the bowlers started really well and then the two youngsters batted really well. If you back the youngsters they will do well like today. 200 is a par score on this, good wicket and I just said to the guys we can chase this down if you bat well. The bowlers did really well, restricting them to 200 was a very good effort from the bowlers and I'm very happy. It was do or die and we just wanted to go out and enjoy ourselves today," Salman said in the post-match presentation. 

 

 

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However, Babar and Rizwan will return for the ODI series starting March 29.