Here are some blistering innings from Pakistani Batsmen on the chasing side who showed their masterclass in batting while chasing. Here are the full details:
1. Babar Azam – 122 runs off 59 balls vs. South Africa
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Date & Venue: April 14, 2021, at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
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Match Context: In the third T20I of the series, South Africa set a formidable target of 204 runs. Pakistan’s opening pair, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, orchestrated a record-breaking partnership to chase down the target.
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Babar’s Innings: Babar’s 122 runs came from just 59 deliveries, featuring 15 fours and 4 sixes. He reached his century in 49 balls, marking his maiden T20I hundred and the highest individual score by a Pakistani in T20Is at that time. His innings was characterized by elegant stroke play and strategic aggression, dismantling the South African bowling attack.
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Partnership: Babar and Rizwan amassed a 197-run opening stand, which was Pakistan’s highest partnership for any wicket in T20Is at that time. This stand laid the foundation for a comprehensive nine-wicket victory, achieved with 12 balls to spare.
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Records Broken:
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Babar’s 122 surpassed the previous highest T20I score by a Pakistani batsman, overtaking Ahmed Shehzad’s 111.
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The 197-run partnership set a new record for Pakistan’s highest opening stand in T20Is.
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Match Outcome: Pakistan won by nine wickets, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
2. Babar Azam – 110 runs off 66 balls vs. England*
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Date & Venue: September 22, 2022, at National Stadium, Karachi.
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Match Context: In the second T20I of the series, England posted a competitive total of 199/5. Pakistan’s openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, faced the challenging task of chasing 200 runs.Babar’s Innings: Babar remained unbeaten with 110 runs off 66 balls, including 11 fours and 5 sixes. His innings was a masterclass in pacing a chase, combining calculated risks with exquisite timing. This was his second T20I century, making him the first Pakistani batsman to achieve multiple centuries in this format.
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Partnership: Babar and Rizwan forged an unbroken 203-run partnership, successfully chasing down the target without losing a wicket. This stand broke their own previous record for Pakistan’s highest opening partnership in T20Is.
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Records Broken:
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The 203-run partnership was the highest for any wicket in T20I history at that time.
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Pakistan’s 10-wicket victory while chasing 200 was unprecedented in T20Is.
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Match Outcome: Pakistan won by 10 wickets with three balls remaining.
3. Hasan Nawaz – 105 runs off 45 balls vs. New Zealand
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Hassan Nawaz on March 21, 2025, played a sensational knock, scoring a blistering 105 runs off just 45 balls in Pakistan’s dominant 9-wicket victory over New Zealand in the 3rd T20I at Auckland. His innings included 10 fours and 7 sixes, striking at an astonishing 233.33 strike rate.
Key Highlights of Hassan Nawaz’s Century:
Fastest T20I century for Pakistan: Nawaz reached his maiden international hundred in just 44 balls, breaking the record for the fastest T20I century by a Pakistani player.
Explosive Powerplay Start:
He built a 74-run opening partnership with Mohammad Haris (41 off 20 balls), helping Pakistan race to 75/1 in the first six overs.
Big Hits in Death Overs: In the 14th and 15th overs, Nawaz smashed two consecutive sixes and two fours, reaching his century in style.
Match-winning Knock: He sealed the chase with a boundary, guiding Pakistan to 207/1 in just 16 overs.
Reactions:
Hassan Nawaz was awarded Player of the Match, expressing gratitude to his captain and teammates for backing him despite poor performances in the previous two games.
New Zealand Captain Michael Bracewell admitted they were around 20 runs short and struggled to defend their total of 204/10 in 19.5 overs.