In a thrilling encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, New Zealand's resurgence led by Mark Chapman saw them clinch a sensational eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third T20I, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
Chapman, the 29-year-old left-hander, showcased his batting prowess with a blistering unbeaten knock of 87 runs off just 42 deliveries, guiding the visitors to a memorable win while chasing a challenging target of 179 runs.
His innings, adorned with nine boundaries and four sixes, dismantled Pakistan's bowling attack and turned the tide in New Zealand's favor.
The BlackCaps' pursuit of the target got off to a promising start with openers Tim Robinson and Tim Seifert laying a solid foundation with a 42-run partnership for the first wicket.
Despite facing a brief setback with the quick dismissals of Robinson and Seifert, Chapman alongside Dean Foxcroft steadied the innings with a commanding 117-run partnership, thwarting Pakistan's attempts at a comeback.
Foxcroft's crucial contribution of 31 runs provided invaluable support to Chapman's aggressive onslaught, as New Zealand cruised to victory in the 19th over, sealing a remarkable turnaround in the series.
Pakistan's innings
Earlier in the match, Pakistan's batters showcased their prowess yet again, setting a challenging target of 179 runs for New Zealand in the third T20I clash at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Determined to seize a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, Babar Azam's men delivered a commanding performance with the bat after being put into bat first by the visitors.
The opening pair of Saim Ayub and skipper Babar Azam laid a solid foundation, orchestrating a promising start with a 54-run partnership. Saim's aggressive stroke play saw him amass 32 runs from just 22 deliveries before falling prey to Ish Sodhi's cunning delivery. Meanwhile, Babar Azam, in sublime touch, notched up 37 runs off 29 balls before being caught by Jacob Duffy off Michael Bracewell's bowling.
However, Pakistan faced a setback as Mohammad Rizwan had to retire hurt after contributing a vital 23 runs from 22 balls, forcing Irfan Khan to replace him at the crease. Usman Khan's brief stint yielded only 4 runs from 6 balls as the hosts sought to fortify their innings.
Enter Irfan Khan and Shadab Khan, who ignited fireworks with their explosive partnership, tormenting the Kiwi bowlers. Shadab Khan's aggressive stroke play saw him smash 41 runs off just 20 deliveries, embellished with six boundaries, while Irfan Khan showcased his batting prowess with a quickfire 30 runs off 20 balls, including three boundaries and a maximum.
Despite New Zealand's seasoned spinner Ish Sodhi's commendable effort, finishing with figures of 2/25, Pakistan's batters managed to assert their dominance, setting a formidable target for the visitors.
In a strategic move, Pakistan made a single change from the winning combination of the previous match, with Abbas Afridi stepping in for Mohammad Amir, who made a remarkable return to international cricket after nearly four years.
On the other hand, New Zealand opted for changes in their playing XI, bringing in Zak Foulkes and Will O'Rourke in place of Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears, in a bid to counter Pakistan's formidable lineup.
As the battle intensifies, all eyes are now on Pakistan's bowlers as they gear up to defend the target and clinch a crucial victory to surge ahead in the series.
Toss and Amir's replacement
New Zealand's skipper Michael Bracewell won the toss and chose to bowl first in the pivotal third T20I against Pakistan at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Amidst the anticipation and excitement surrounding the match, the toss ceremony unfolded at 7:00 PM (PST) in Rawalpindi, with both skippers, Babar Azam and Michael Bracewell, gracing the occasion.
Pakistan, aiming to maintain their momentum from the previous victory, made a significant change in their lineup. Abbas Afridi stepped in to replace Mohammad Amir, who marked his return to international cricket after an absence of nearly four years.
On the other hand, New Zealand opted for strategic alterations, bringing Zak Foulkes and Will O'Rourke into the playing XI in place of Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears, respectively.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Niazi, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Will O'Rourke, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.
With Pakistan leading the series 1-0 after a convincing victory in the second T20I, the pressure is on New Zealand to bounce back and level the series. The first match of the series was called off due to persistent rain, adding further intrigue to the ongoing contest.
Furthermore, Babar Azam, newly appointed as the white-ball captain, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the second most successful captain in Pakistan's history, boasting 79 victories. However, the legendary Imran Khan retains the top spot with 89 wins during his illustrious captaincy tenure.
As the action unfolds at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, cricket enthusiasts brace themselves for another enthralling showdown between two formidable sides. Following the matches in Rawalpindi, both teams are poised to shift the battleground to Lahore for the remaining two T20Is on April 25 and 27, respectively.
