Kiwi Stunner: New Zealand Shocks Pakistan with Dominant Win

Mark Chapman's brilliant 87 off 42 balls propelled an underpowered New Zealand to a stunning seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third T20I in Rawalpindi. The left-hander's knock silenced a 16,000-strong crowd and anchored New Zealand's successful chase of 179, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.

New Zealand Stuns Pakistan with Stunning Seven-Wicket Victory in Third T20I

Rawalpindi, Pakistan - In a remarkable turn of events, an undermanned New Zealand team defied the odds on Sunday, securing a stunning seven-wicket victory over a formidable Pakistan side in the third Twenty20 international (T20I) in Rawalpindi.

The triumph marked a significant upset for the visitors, who were missing several key players due to injuries and the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Mark Chapman's blistering half-century and a resolute team effort propelled New Zealand to a famous victory, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.

Chapman, the 29-year-old left-hander, played a pivotal role in the Kiwi chase, smashing a scintillating 87 runs off just 42 deliveries. His belligerent knock, which included four sixes and nine fours, silenced the raucous 16,000-strong crowd at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Chapman found able support from Dean Foxcroft, who contributed a valuable 31 runs in a crucial 117-run third-wicket partnership. Tim Robinson (28 off 19) and Tim Seifert (21 off 16) also played important cameos at the top of the order, setting the tempo for New Zealand's successful chase.

Pakistan had earlier posted a competitive 178-4, with Shadab Khan (41) and Babar Azam (37) being the main contributors. However, the New Zealand bowlers, led by the impressive Ish Sodhi (2-25), kept the Pakistani batsmen in check, restricting them from posting a more imposing total.

The drama intensified in the latter stages of the match as Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was introduced into the attack with 61 runs to defend in the 15th over. Undeterred, Chapman audaciously dispatched Afridi for two fours, leaving Pakistan's hopes hanging by a thread.

In the following over, Chapman unleashed his full fury on Naseem Shah, crunching two sixes and two more boundaries to reduce the target to a manageable 21 runs off 24 balls. Foxcroft's dismissal by Abbas Afridi provided Pakistan with a glimmer of hope, but Chapman and Jimmy Neesham (6* off 3) calmly guided the visitors to victory with ten balls to spare.

The victory was a significant morale booster for New Zealand, who were initially considered underdogs in this series due to their depleted squad. Chapman's heroics and the team's unwavering spirit showcased their resilience and depth of talent.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand will now shift their focus to the final two T20Is in Lahore on April 25 and 27. The matches serve as important preparation for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean, where both teams will be aiming to make a significant impact on the global stage.