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PAK vs NZ: New Zealand wins an exciting fifth T20I and level series

On the back of an incredible century by left-hand hitter Mark Chapman at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday, New Zealand earned a miraculous triumph to tie the five-match T20 series against Pakistan.

The Kiwis won in 19.2 overs despite chasing a target of 194 runs. The series was tied at 2-2. The visitors were hoping to even the series in Rawalpindi on Monday after the fourth T20I at the same location was called off due to a hailstorm.

The Blackcaps got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets in Shaheen Afridi’s opening over. In the opening over of the innings, Kiwi skipper Tom Latham (0) and Will Young (4) were both out. Imad Wasim took two more wickets for Pakistan, dismissing Chad Bowes (19) and Daryl Mitchell (15) before the conclusion of the 10th over. The Kiwis were left in a tight situation at 73-4 after 10 overs, with the needed run-rate increasing.

However, Jimmy Neesham and Chapman took over and positioned the Pakistan bowlers in every available area of the stadium. The two left-handers forged a match-winning alliance to propel their team to victory. The pair scored 121 runs in only 58 balls, smashing the Pakistan bowlers all over the place. Chapman finished undefeated on 104 runs in 57 balls, thanks to 11 fours and four sixes. Neesham hit 45 runs off 25 balls, including four fours and two maximums.Pakistan had previously achieved 193-5 in their allocated 20 overs after being asked to bat first. After scoring 51 runs in 34 balls for the first wicket, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan gave Pakistan a good start.

Pakistan, on the other hand, lost three wickets while contributing just one run, with Azam (19), Mohammad Haris (0), and Saim Ayub (0) all departing in the space of five balls.

With Pakistan on the back foot, Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed stitched a vital 71-run partnership in 46 balls to get their team back on track for a competitive total. Following the departure of Iftikhar, who scored 36 runs in 22 balls, Imad Wasim came out all guns blazing and scored 31 runs in 14 balls. His innings had five fours and a six. Rizwan was unlucky not to achieve his second T20I century, remaining undefeated on 98 runs in 62 balls. He hit seven fours and four sixes in his inning. Blair Tickner was New Zealand’s best bowler, with figures of 3-33 in four overs. The home team made two changes, with Ihsanullah and Mohammad Haris coming in for Fakhar Zaman and Zaman Khan.

New Zealand made two changes as well, with James Neesham and Blair Tickner taking the place of Matt Henry and Cole McConchie. The first two matches were won by the Babar Azam-led team. However, New Zealand won the third T20I, while the fourth T20I was cancelled due to rain in Rawalpindi.

It should be emphasised that eight Kiwis are missing due to the Indian Premier League (IPL), and skipper Kane Williamson is out with a serious knee injury, leaving the command to batsman Tom Latham — and plenty of opportunities for newbies to flourish.

Both teams’ action will now shift to one-day internationals, which will begin on Thursday, April 27th.

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Farzeen K

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