Nawaz smacks record-breaking maiden ton as Pakistan win 3rd NZ T20

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Pakistani opening batter plays a shot during the third T20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 21, 2025. (Pakistan Cricket Board/Facebook)
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New Zealand’s Mark Chapman (R) makes a run during the third T20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 21, 2025. (AFP)
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Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi (L) chases the ball as New Zealand’s players Daryl Mitchell (C) and Mark Chapman (R) complete a run during the third T20 international cricket match at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 21 March 2025
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Nawaz smacks record-breaking maiden ton as Pakistan win 3rd NZ T20

  • After scoring a duck in each of the two opening games, Nawaz rebounded with a stunning 105 not out
  • The 23-year-old’s ton came off 44 balls, the fastest by any Pakistan player in a T20 international match

AUCKLAND: Opener Hasan Nawaz struck a record-breaking maiden century Friday as Pakistan crushed New Zealand by nine wickets in the third Twenty20 to keep the series alive.
After scoring a duck in each of the two opening games — the first innings’ of his international career — Nawaz rebounded with a stunning 105 not out in Auckland as the tourists raced to 207-1 in response to New Zealand’s 204.
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.




Captain of Pakistan’s T20 International team, Salman Ali Agha (R) plays a shot during the third T20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 21, 2025. (Pakistan Cricket Board/Facebook)

Fellow opener Mohammad Haris scored 41 off 20 while captain Salman Agha was unbeaten on 51 off 31.
Earlier, New Zealand looked well placed after Mark Chapman hit a rapid 94 before they were dismissed in their final over.




New Zealand’s Mark Chapman (R) makes a run during the third T20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 21, 2025. (AFP)

Chapman dominated after New Zealand were asked to bat, tallying 11 fours and four sixes from just 44 balls faced.

The rest of the home side’s batsmen struggled to get going, aside from captain Michael Bracewell’s 31.




Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi (L) chases the ball as New Zealand’s players Daryl Mitchell (C) and Mark Chapman (R) complete a run during the third T20 international cricket match at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21, 2025. (AFP)

Experienced seamer Haris Rauf bowled Bracewell and finished with Pakistan’s best figures of 3-29.
Game four of the five-match series is in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.


JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

Updated 24 min 59 sec ago
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JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

  • MoU focuses on awareness and development of compliant virtual-asset solutions in Pakistan
  • Pakistan introducing licensing regime for crypto firms as it formalizes digital-asset oversight

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani financial-technology platform JazzCash has signed a memorandum of understanding with global cryptocurrency exchange Binance in the United Arab Emirates to explore cooperation on virtual-asset use and education in Pakistan, the company said on Wednesday.

The agreement sets a framework for discussions on awareness campaigns and future digital-asset products that would comply with Pakistan’s emerging crypto regulations. The move signals growing engagement between global blockchain companies and Pakistani fintechs as authorities shift toward formal licensing of the sector.

Pakistan has spent the past year drafting rules to regulate the fast-expanding market for digital coins and tokens, requiring virtual-asset service providers to obtain government approval. Officials say the transition is aimed at curbing money-laundering and terror financing risks, boosting transparency and encouraging responsible innovation.

“JazzCash has always championed technologies that expand financial access while promoting secure and inclusive participation in the digital economy," JazzCash Chief Executive Officer Murtaza Ali said. 

“By entering into this exploratory MoU with Binance, we are advancing our efforts to understand how global digital-asset trends can support Pakistan’s evolving regulatory landscape. We aim to engage responsibly, support regulatory progress, and advance opportunities that build trust, transparency and innovation for our customers.”

The MoU does not establish a commercial partnership, but marks one of the most high-profile engagements between Pakistan’s fintech sector and a global crypto exchange as the country moves toward regulated digital-asset adoption.

Binance welcomed the cooperation, framing it as part of Pakistan’s shift toward regulated digital-asset activity.

"With regulatory frameworks like [Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority] PVARA paving the way, this collaboration represents a significant step toward expanding financial inclusion and empowering more people to access the benefits of blockchain technology in a secure and compliant environment," Binance Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Conlan said.

Earlier this month, Binance executives met Pakistani finance officials to discuss digital-payments reform, blockchain-skills training and the potential for Web3-linked jobs. Pakistan also set up the Pakistan Crypto Council and formed PVARA this year to license and supervise crypto-asset service providers.