The 3rd T20I of the Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025, played on March 22 at Eden Park, Auckland, showcased a commanding performance by Pakistan as they posted a formidable 207/1 in their 16 overs. This match, part of a five-game T20I series, highlighted Pakistan’s batting prowess and set the stage for a thrilling chase under the Auckland lights. Fans who tuned in live via StreamBros witnessed a masterclass in power-hitting, with Pakistan’s top order firing on all cylinders.
Pakistan’s Batting Blitz
Pakistan, batting first after losing the toss, wasted no time asserting dominance. Openers Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan laid a solid foundation, stitching together a 100-run partnership in just 10 overs. Ayub, in particular, was in scintillating form, smashing a 37-ball 63 studded with six fours and three sixes before falling to Ish Sodhi in the 12th over. Rizwan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 67 off 43 balls, his knock featuring five fours and two sixes, ensuring momentum never waned.
The star of the show, however, was Hasan Nawaz, who came in at No. 3 and unleashed a breathtaking 105 off just 45 balls. Nawaz’s blistering century—his first in T20Is—came at a strike rate of 233.33, peppered with eight fours and seven sixes. His aggressive strokeplay, especially against Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, propelled Pakistan past the 200-mark, finishing at 207/1. Nawaz’s heroics earned him the Player of the Match award, a fitting reward for an innings that left New Zealand shell-shocked.
New Zealand’s Struggles
New Zealand’s bowling unit struggled to contain Pakistan’s onslaught on a flat Eden Park pitch. Ish Sodhi was the lone wicket-taker, dismissing Ayub, but his 1/38 in 3 overs reflected the overall lack of control. Matt Henry (0/46 in 4 overs) and Ferguson (0/42 in 3 overs) bore the brunt of Nawaz’s assault, while captain Mitchell Santner’s 0/34 in 4 overs couldn’t stem the tide. The Black Caps’ fielding also faltered, with dropped chances—two off Nawaz early in his innings—proving costly, as noted in post-match analysis on Cricbuzz.
The series context adds intrigue to this match. New Zealand had taken a 2-0 lead after dominating the first two T20Is, highlighted by a five-wicket win in Dunedin on March 20, where openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen smashed seven sixes in the first eight scoring shots to chase 135 with 11 balls to spare. Pakistan, desperate to avoid a series whitewash, responded with intent in Auckland, setting a daunting target that tested New Zealand’s batting depth.
Key Moments and Context
Pakistan’s 207/1 was their highest T20I total against New Zealand, surpassing their previous best of 201/4 in 2018. The match, reduced to 16 overs per side due to rain, amplified the pressure on New Zealand’s chase, requiring a run rate of nearly 13 from the outset. Historical head-to-head stats (via AiScore) show a competitive rivalry—57 matches since 2018, with New Zealand leading 31-26—but Pakistan’s recent form (winning 2 of the last 5 encounters) suggested they were primed for a fightback.
Eden Park, known for its short boundaries and high-scoring games, played to Pakistan’s strengths. Nawaz’s century, in particular, drew comparisons on X to Babar Azam’s 2023 heroics at the same venue, with fans trending “Hasan Nawaz” and “NZ vs PAK” in the aftermath. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Mark Chapman, their top batsman in the series with consistent scores, faced the unenviable task of leading a chase against a Pakistan bowling attack led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
What’s Next for the Series?
As of the latest updates from News18, Pakistan’s 207/1 set a steep challenge, but the match result remains pending due to the time of this report (4:59 AM PDT on March 23). If New Zealand chased this down, they’d seal a 3-0 series lead, further solidifying their dominance at home. A Pakistan win, however, would inject life into the series, with two games left in Christchurch and Wellington.
For Pakistan, this performance was a statement of intent after a lackluster bowling effort in the second T20I, where they failed to defend 135. Captain Salman Agha, who scored 46 in Dunedin, will hope his bowlers—particularly Afridi, who’s been lethal in the powerplay—can defend this mammoth total. New Zealand, meanwhile, will lean on Seifert and Allen’s explosive form, though the absence of dropped catches (a point of reflection for Seifert after the first game) could prove pivotal.
A Clash to Remember
The 3rd T20I in Auckland underscored Pakistan’s batting depth and New Zealand’s resilience as hosts. Whether the Black Caps pulled off the chase or Pakistan’s bowlers held firm, this match added another chapter to a storied rivalry. Fans who caught the action on StreamBros were treated to a run-fest, and with more cricket to come, this series is far from over.
