New Zealand level T20I series against Pakistan

New Zealand has successfully levelled the 5-match T20I series against the host Pakistan!

An amazing hundred by left-hand batter Mark Chapman at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday led the Kiwis to victory.

The series was levelled 2-2 with one match (fourth T20I) abandoned due to rain.

The visitors emerged victorious in 19.2 overs while chasing a target of 194 runs.

Pakistan had won the first and second T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium, while the visiting side won the third T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium before winning Monday’s game.

Being put into bat, the green team scored 193 for five in their allotted 20 overs on the back of an unbeaten 98 from Mohammad Rizwan and quick-fire knocks from Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad.

Pakistan had a good start with the opening pair of Babar Azam and Rizwan providing yet another half-century stand as Babar (19, 18b, 3x4s) was the first one to return back to the hut with 51 runs on the board in the batting powerplay.

After the dismissal of Babar, Pakistan lost two more wickets quickly as Mohammad Haris (0 off one ball) and Saim Ayub (0 off two balls) were sent back to the pavilion on just four balls with Pakistan had only 52 for three in 6.2 overs on the scoreboard.

Iftikhar joined Rizwan in the middle and the pair knitted 71 off 46 balls.

The right-handed batter Iftikhar made a quick-fire 36 off 22 balls, which included three fours and two sixes before getting out to Blair Tickner, who ended up with match figures of three for 33 in four overs.

After the departure of Iftikhar,  Imad Wasim joined Rizwan and the pair added 68 off 34 balls.

Imad hit five fours and one six during his 14-ball 31 knock. He was run out in the final over of the innings trying to give a chance to Rizwan to get on-strike to complete his second T20I century.

Rizwan missed out on the century by two runs as he missed out on an opportunity to score on the final ball of the innings.

While chasing the target of 194 runs to win, the Kiwis lost their captain Tom Latham on the first ball of the innings with Shaheen Shah Afridi once again striking in his first spell.

The left-arm pacer Afridi, went on to pick another wicket in the first over, dismissing Will Young (4 off 4) caught behind.

Imad Wasim bagged the prized scalp of Chad Bowes (19, 13b, 4x4s) to put the visitors on the back foot at 26 for three in the fourth over.

Imad ended up with figures of two for 21 in four overs which included the wicket of Daryl Mitchell (15 off 18) who added 47 runs for the fourth wicket with Mark Chapman.

Neesham joined Chapman at the crease at this point when NZ had 73 runs on the board.

The pair took a firey start on the Pakistan bowlers and scored runs at will.

Chapman, who was dropped in the 14th over by Shadab Khan off Shaheen’s bowling took full advantage and went on to score his maiden century. He returned undefeated on 104 off 57 balls, which included 11 fours and four sixes.

The left-handed Neesham scored an unbeaten 45 off 25, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Scores card:

New Zealand beat Pakistan by six wickets

Pakistan 193-5, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 98 not out, Iftikhar Ahmed 36, Imad Wasim 31; Blair Tickner 3-33)

New Zealand 194-4, 19.2 overs (Mark Chapman 104 not out, Jimmy Neesham 45 not out; Imad Wasim 2-21, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-48)

Player of the Match – Mark Chapman (New Zealand).

Pakistan and New Zealand will now meet in five one-day internationals after the five-match T20 series starting from Thursday, 27 April at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, preparing for this year´s 50-over World Cup in India.