Sports

Hasan Nawaz Creates Unwanted Record in T20I Series Against New Zealand

Pakistan opener Hasan Nawaz etched his name into the record books for all the wrong reasons after the fifth T20I against New Zealand. While he delivered a breathtaking 105 off 45 balls* in the third T20I, he also set a dubious record by becoming the first batter from a Full Member nation to register three ducks in a bilateral men’s T20I series.

The young right-hander had a rollercoaster debut series. After starting his international career with back-to-back ducks, he stunned the cricketing world with a blistering century, helping Pakistan chase 205 in just 16 overs. However, his form dipped again as he managed only one run in the fourth T20I before perishing for another duck in the final game at Wellington.

Despite his inconsistency, Hasan’s career strike rate of 186.00 and his century stand out when compared to other batters who have suffered similar struggles. Among the 12 cricketers to have recorded three ducks in a T20I series, none have averaged more than 13 or even managed a half-century—let alone a century. In contrast, Hasan averages 26.50 and remains the only player on this unwanted list to strike at a rate above a run per ball.

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Most Ducks in a Bilateral Men’s T20I Series

Player Team Opposition Year Runs Highest Score Average Strike Rate
Andrew Mansale Vanuatu Malaysia 2019 61 38 12.20 98
Moazzam Baig Malawi Mozambique 2019 5 5 1.25 42
Arvind Kerai Sierra Leone Nigeria 2021 24 15 4.80 49
Buhle Dlamini Eswatini Mozambique 2022 14 10 2.80 54
Carl Hartmann Isle of Man Spain 2023 21 17 4.20 58
Temuulen Amarmend Mongolia Japan 2024 28 14 4.66 45
Luwsanzundui Erdenebulgan Mongolia Japan 2024 9 5 1.50 18
Od Lutbayar Mongolia Japan 2024 4 2 0.66 17
Nyambaatar Naranbaatar Mongolia Japan 2024 8 5 1.60 16
Cecil Alexander Falkland Islands Costa Rica 2025 11 5 1.83 24
Juandre Scheffer Falkland Islands Costa Rica 2025 19 12 3.16 38
Hasan Nawaz Pakistan New Zealand 2025 106 105* 26.50 186

While Hasan Nawaz’s century against New Zealand was a major highlight, his three ducks in five innings underscore Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with batting consistency in T20 cricket. The team has often depended on individual brilliance rather than collective consistency, a trend that has frequently hurt their chances in major tournaments.

With the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup approaching, selectors must weigh Hasan’s explosiveness against his inconsistency and decide whether to persist with him or explore a more reliable opening option. For now, the young batter remains an enigma—capable of producing match-winning knocks but also prone to sudden collapses.

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Published by
Usama Mustafa