Pakistan vs New Zealand: Third T20 international – as it happened
All the cricket updates as New Zealand beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the third T20 match in Rawalpindi to level the five-match series 1-1.
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as New Zealand recorded a comeback seven-wicket win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi:
This page is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as New Zealand recorded a comeback seven-wicket win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi:
- New Zealand beat Pakistan by seven wickets to win the third Twenty20 international in Rawalpindi.
- Mark Chapman’s innings of 87 not out guided the visitors home despite an early stutter.
- Earlier, Shadab Khan finished Pakistan’s innings with a 20-ball-41 to set New Zealand a target of 179.
- Ish Sodhi took two wickets for 25 runs in his four overs.
- The two previous matches in the series were also played in Rawalpindi, with the first match of the series washed out after two balls.
- Pakistan won the second match by seven wickets with 55 balls to spare after dismissing New Zealand for 90 runs.
- New Zealand won the reverse series 4-1 earlier this year.
Goodbye for now
There you have it from Rawalpindi!
New Zealand make mincemeat of a sub-180 chase to level the series as we head into the final two matches in Lahore.
This puts the series in an interesting position, with either side potentially on the verge of a 2-1 series win, provided inclement weather doesn’t rear its head once more.
Chapman once again proves to be the bane of the Pakistan bowlers.
On top of that, poor fielding and questionable bowling strategies from the front-line Pakistan pacers will also need to be reevaluated over the next few days.
We hope you enjoyed our live coverage of today’s T20I, and before you go do make sure to check out our other live blog, where Real Madrid and Barcelona resume an age-old rivalry, widely known as “El Clasico”.
On behalf of Al Jazeera, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.
Series level as we move to Lahore. Mark Chapman leading the chase with 87* Scorecard | https://t.co/T4wbzwNPI8 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/BtdpvFrGDX
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 21, 2024
‘Really happy to see the guys put the learnings from yesterday into play’
Victorious skipper Bracewell provided plenty of praise for his side: “Obviously really happy to see the guys put the learnings from yesterday into play. I was particularly impressed by how the debutants went today. I thought they stood up to the mark really well,” he said.
“It puts us in good stead going forward as they get more experience. The way each bowler bowled was outstanding.
“There was an over from me that went for a few, but the guys at the back end brought it back. We were quite happy to chase 179.
“I think the partnership between Foxy [Foxcroft] and Chappy [Chapman] was outstanding. They got us slightly ahead of the required rate [at one point]. Chappy has been quite outstanding lately.”
‘We were 10 runs short, unfortunately’
The losing captain, Azam, provided his views on the result: “We were 10 runs short, unfortunately. I think Shadab recovered well and built a good partnership. I think 180-190 was a par score according to me.”
“We tried to play according to the situation. Shadab executed his plans and played his natural game. He played as per the demands. We started well in the powerplay.”
“If you drop catches it will cost you. We tried to bowl according to the plans. Will try to improve and bowl better in the next game.”
‘We know Pakistan’s death bowling is outstanding, [but] we managed to come out on top tonight’
Chapman, who is adjudged man of the match, had this to say at the post-match presentation: “Always nice to come here [to Rawalpindi], [so] happy to level the series. Pakistan have a great attack but it was quite chaseable. It was an outstanding bowling performance by us.”
“Yesterday was probably a bit slower, and we lost wickets in clumps. It was great to have that 100-plus partnership [with Foxcroft]”
“We know Pakistan’s death bowling is outstanding, [but] we managed to come out on top tonight.”
Congratulations team @BLACKCAPS
A great achievement for the young side but credit goes to Ish Sodhi with the bowl and Mark Chapman with the bat.#NZvsPAK #PAKvNZ #PakistanCricket— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) April 21, 2024
Chapman’s heroics tie the series
Mark Chapman performs for New Zealand to lead them to a seven-wicket win 🏏
The series is now level at 1️⃣-1️⃣ as we move to Lahore for the last two games.#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/NIQsT9juR9
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 21, 2024
New Zealand level the series!
Rawalpindi has always favoured the side batting second, and that record remains intact.
It all began with openers Seifert and Robinson setting a strong platform for the visiting side.
Once they departed, Chapman took the torch.
With Foxcroft playing a steady hand at the other end, Chapman was able to cart the Pakistan bowlers all over the park in regular intervals.
The left-hander finishes with an unbeaten 87 off 42 balls, which undoubtedly will make him man of the match.
New Zealand win by seven wickets!
Chapman rightfully runs down the next ball to deep third to secure victory for the Blackcaps and level the series 1-1 with two matches to go!
18.1 overs. New Zealand level scores
With a squirt away through the leg side, Chapman is able to pick up two quick runs.
New Zealand now need just a single run.
18 overs. New Zealand 176-3
After negotiating his first few deliveries, Neesham is rewarded with a shortish length which he pulls towards deep backward square leg to beat the boundary rider.
New Zealand now need just three off the final 12 balls.
WICKET! Foxcroft caught-and-bowled! New Zealand 170-3
Abbas back into the attack.
After beginning the over with two leg-side wides, he gets Foxcroft to top-edge a back of a length ball on middle and leg.
The ball goes straight up, with Abbas calling for it.
He manages to hold onto the chance, which has been a rarity today for Pakistan.
Might be too little, too late, but Pakistan will get some hope from it.
Neesham comes out to join Chapman.
17 overs. New Zealand 168-2
Eleven come off the over as New Zealand need just 11 off 18 to win.
Who will Azam turn to next?
Abrar misses caught-and-bowled chance
Chapman, looking to finish this off in a hurry, slams one right back at the bowler.
It carries at a comfortable height, but it looks like the velocity of the chance may have been Abrar’s undoing.
Foxcroft then proceeds to add insult to injury by carving one through backward point for four.
16 overs. New Zealand 158-2
Chapman adds a fourth-in-the-row boundary as he gets a fortunate under edge to a leg-side slanting delivery which continues on to the deep fine leg rope.
The over ends with New Zealand slamming 23, and they now need a rather sedate 21 off 24 to level the series.
The 100-run partnership also comes up off 62 balls.
Chapman slams first three balls for boundaries
Naseem is back into the attack.
Doesn’t really matter to Chapman in this kind of form.
He pulls off a mighty heave over deep backward square leg.
The left-hander follows up with another, this time through deep fine leg.
He proceeds to then come down the track to loft the pacer over long on for yet another six.
If you recollect, he dropped Chapman when he was just on 16.
That’s why they say “catches win matches”.
15 overs. New Zealand 135-2
Shaheen drops it short to Foxcroft, and he decides to get in on the action after playing a supportive role to Chapman all this time.
He goes for the almighty pull over cow corner for maximum.
The over ends with New Zealand needing 44 off 30.
Chapman picks up two boundaries in three balls
Shaheen is back into the attack.
Chapman expertly pierces the gap at short third to find another easy boundary first ball.
He then targets mid-off third ball with a heave that should have been stopped by the close-in fielder, but ends up continuing on to the boundary.
14 overs. New Zealand 118-2
Chapman reaches his eighth T20I fifty off the final ball.
New Zealand require 61 off 36, and with wickets in hand they would be considered favourites to pull it off.
Pakistan need a couple of breakthroughs to change the entire complexion of this match.
Chapman goes down the ground
Shadab is now back into the attack, and the second ball he is sent goes high over long off for a maximum.
Chapman survives back-to-back chances
Abrar replaces Abbas.
Chapman manages to survive a possible run-out chance after stepping out of his crease by the keeper.
He then affords a thin edge to Usman, who shells the chance.
It leads to a paddle shot boundary down backward square leg, which infuriates the bowler.
The 13th over ends with New Zealand 108 for 2, where they now need 71 off 42.
12 overs. New Zealand 101-2
New Zealand register the team hundred soon after as 11 come off the over.
The Blackcaps now need 78 off 48.
Chapman lands straight six
The spinner keeps the batters to just singles off the first three balls.
Chapman decides to change the narrative as he heaves Ahmed high over the straight boundary for maximum.
11 overs. New Zealand 90-2
Abbas is back into the attack.
Looks like there is a little dew developing, which will certainly favour the batting side as the ball will skid on more.
Chapman spoils a rather good over with a crisp drive through long-off to end the over.
New Zealand need 89 off 54 balls to level the series.
10 overs. New Zealand 80-2
Ahmed’s over ends with just five off it as drinks are called onto the field.
At this same point in Pakistan’s innings, they were at 84-1, so New Zealand will feel quite buoyed by that.
It is quite simple for Pakistan from here on in.
If they want to extend their lead to 2-0, they will need wickets on the regular as we head into the final ten.
Ahmed keeps it nice and tight
Azam turns to another spin option.
Ahmed confirms his captain’s backing by allowing just three off the first four deliveries.
Naseem drops straightforward chance
Shadab entices Chapman to go over the leg side again, but this time induces a mishit from the left-hander.
Naseem races in from his post at backward square leg, but decides to go for the dive in order to complete the chance.
During that motion, the ball ends up bobbling out of his hands.
Massive blow for Pakistan as Chapman is very much looking like the danger man out there.
The ninth over ends with New Zealand 75 for 2.