New Zealand’s Mark Chapman celebrates after scoring century throughout the fifth T20 match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on April 25, 2023
| Photo Credit: AP
Mark Chapman pummelled a belligerent maiden T20 century to resurrect a second-string New Zealand crew to a sensational series-levelling victory in opposition to Pakistan.
Chapman, who shellacked a scarcely plausible career-best 57-ball 104 not out, mixed with Jimmy Neesham (45) to overtake the 194-run goal and stun Pakistan in the fifth and last T20 match right here on Monday.
In doing so, the guests pulled off their second-highest run chase in opposition to Pakistan in the sport’s shortest format.
This was additionally New Zealand’s a hundredth T20 win, one that may absolutely be etched in the annals of their cricketing historical past in the years to come back.
More so due to the dire circumstances that that they had discovered themselves half-way by means of an arduous chase.
Stuttering at 73/4 in the tenth over, it appeared like an insurmountable job for the Black Caps, earlier than Chapman and Neesham turned the tables with an unbelievable counterattack that left the Pakistanis in utter dismay.
The commanding 121-run partnership, which got here in a shade over 9 overs helped New Zealand script the exceptional turnaround.
New Zealand got here again from shedding the primary two matches in Lahore to sq. the series 2-2.
The fourth match was washed out resulting from rain. “One of the best innings a lot of us have ever seen. Hats off to Chapman,” New Zealand captain Tom Latham stated after the match.
“They (Neesham and Chapman) simply labored out their partnership rather well and saved piling the stress again on the opponents. It’s mightily satisfying that we ended with a series draw after being 2-0 down,” he added.
Earlier in the night, Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with an assured unbeaten 98.
Rizwan was astutely supported by Iftikar Ahmed, who scored a fast 22-ball 36, earlier than New Zealand’s Blair Tickner made inroads into Pakistan’s batting, by selecting the wickets of captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris.
This is the third successive time that Pakistan have did not win a T20 series at residence.
Monday’s loss would damage Pakistan much more as a result of New Zealand had been with out a few of their key stars like Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Mitchel Santner.
Both groups lock horns for a five-match one-day worldwide series that begins on Thursday at Rawalpindi.
