Mark Chapman’s Unbeaten 94 Guides New Zealand to Thrilling Victory in 3rd T20I Against Pakistan
In a high-stakes contest in the third T20I at Rawalpindi, New Zealand bounced back from their earlier loss in the series with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, leveling the series 1-1. The match saw remarkable performances from both sides, but it was Mark Chapman’s brilliant, unbeaten 94 that took center stage, guiding the Black Caps to victory in a tense chase of 179.
Pakistan, who won the toss and elected to bat, got off to a solid start, thanks to their top-order batsmen. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s talismanic captain, played a steady knock of 37, while Shadab Khan injected some much-needed momentum with an explosive 41. The middle overs saw a series of quick singles and smart placements, but it was Shadab who provided the most fireworks with his boundary-laden strike. He led a late surge that helped Pakistan reach a total of 178/4 after 20 overs, a competitive score but one that left the door open for New Zealand, particularly with their explosive batting lineup.
New Zealand’s chase started off on a difficult note. Pakistan’s bowlers, spearheaded by the in-form Shaheen Shah Afridi, kept the pressure high, taking early wickets. But in the face of adversity, Mark Chapman anchored the innings with remarkable composure. Chapman, who had shown glimpses of his brilliance in previous outings, turned up in this crucial match with a knock that will go down in T20I history as one of the finest.
While wickets tumbled around him, Chapman stood firm. The Black Caps had already lost their opener, Finn Allen (4), and with skipper Kane Williamson dismissed for a mere 11, the pressure mounted. It was Chapman, however, who demonstrated his cool-headed approach and an array of elegant strokes that defused the mounting pressure. He played with a perfect balance of aggression and caution, finding boundaries when required and rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Chapman was not alone in the effort. His crucial 31-run partnership with Dean Foxcroft helped steady the ship. Foxcroft’s contribution was equally valuable, as he played a supporting role to Chapman, allowing the latter to express himself freely. Together, they set the foundation for a successful chase. Foxcroft’s dismissal for 31 brought further pressure on New Zealand, but Chapman’s brilliance and a small but impactful cameo from James Neesham (15*) guided the team over the line with 10 balls to spare.
New Zealand's chase was built around Chapman’s composed knock, and his ability to deal with pressure and play shots to all parts of the ground was a testament to his skill. His 94* from 58 balls included nine boundaries and two sixes, a strike rate of 162.07, showing how effectively he rotated the strike and capitalized on every scoring opportunity.
Pakistan, despite posting a decent total, could not make inroads into New Zealand’s middle order. Their bowlers, led by Afridi, were unable to break the partnership when it mattered, and the target of 179 was eventually surpassed with relative ease. The loss will sting for Pakistan, but they will know that the series is still wide open, and the next match promises to be another exciting contest.
New Zealand’s win is a much-needed boost, and with the series now tied at 1-1, both teams will look to take the upper hand in the upcoming games. Mark Chapman’s scintillating 94* will undoubtedly be remembered as the match-defining innings that leveled the series and set up a gripping finale.
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