Left-handed batsman Mark Chapman’s brilliant century led New Zealand to a remarkable win to level the five-match T20I series against Pakistan at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Chasing a target of 194 runs, the Kiwis won in 19.2 overs. The series was tied at 2-2.
Moments! 📸#PAKvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/Tm1hJ1Y6OD
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 24, 2023
The Black Caps got off to a terrible start as they lost two wickets in Shaheen Afridi’s first over. Kiwi captain Tom Latham (0) and Will Young (4) were dismissed in the first over of the innings.
Pakistan grabbed two more wickets thanks to Imad Wasim, who dismissed Chad Bose (19) and Daryl Mitchell (15) before the end of the 10th over. The Kiwis, at the end of 10 overs, were left in a difficult position at 73-4 with the required run-rate climbing.
Series tied! An unbeaten century (104*) for Mark Chapman leading the team to a memorable victory in Rawalpindi! @JimmyNeesh (45*) playing the supporting act in a 121-run match-winning partnership. Catch up on all scores | https://t.co/LQYprxuVsa #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/uGxzxFxb1Y
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 24, 2023
However, after that Jimmy Nesham and Chapman took charge and packed Pakistan’s bowlers into every corner of the ground. The two left-handers forged a match-winning partnership to take their side over the line. The duo added 121 runs in just 58 balls and fooled Pakistan’s bowlers in all parts of the ground.
Chapman scored 104 runs off 57 balls with the help of 11 fours and four sixes. Neesham scored 45 off 25 balls which included four fours and two maximums.
Maiden T20I 💯 for Mark Chapman. An extraordinary match-winning effort from the left-handed batter 👏#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/4f1qIQVnSg
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 24, 2023
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan posted 193-5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Tickner takes 3 & Sodhi 1-21 off his four overs. Follow the chase LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz. Scoring | https://t.co/LQYprxuVsa #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/aEjqNT2yg6
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 24, 2023
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added 51 runs off 34 balls for the first wicket to give Pakistan a strong start.
However, Pakistan lost three wickets as Azam (19), Mohammad Haris (0) and Saeem Ayub (0) returned to hit within five balls.
With Pakistan on the back foot, Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed put on a crucial partnership of 71 runs off 46 balls to get their team back on track to a competitive total on the board.
After the dismissal of Iftikhar, who scored 36 off 22 balls, Imad Wasim came out with all guns blazing and played a brilliant cameo of 31 off 14 balls. His innings included five fours and one six.
Rizwan was unlucky not to score the second T20I century of his career as he remained unbeaten on 98 off 62 balls. His innings included seven fours and four sixes.
Blair Tickner was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with figures of 3-33 in four overs.
The home side made two changes to the line-up with Fakhar Zaman and Zaman Khan replacing Ehsanullah and Mohammad Haris.
New Zealand make two changes with James Neesham and Blair Tickner replacing Matt Henry and Cole McConaughey.
The Babar Azam-led unit registered victories in the first two matches. However, New Zealand bounced back to win the third T20I but the fourth T20I was lost due to rain in Rawalpindi.
With eight Kiwis missing due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and captain Kane Williamson’s knee injury leaving the captaincy to batsman Tom Latham — and plenty of newcomers to shine. Providing opportunities.
After the five-match T20 series, Pakistan and New Zealand will also compete in five one-day internationals, which mark the build-up to this year’s 50-over World Cup in India.
The tour comes as compensation for New Zealand pulling out of a tour of Pakistan on the first match day in September 2021, citing security concerns.
The Black Caps played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.
Lineups
Pakistan: Muhammad Rizwan (wicket), Babar Azam (captain), Muhammad Haris, Saeem Ayub, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Ehsanullah.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (wk/c), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ash Sodhi, Blair Tickner.
