PAK vs NZ T20: Mark Chapman scores maiden ton helps New Zealand to T20 series comeback draw
PAK vs NZ T20: New Zealand broke the world record for the highest fifth-wicket partnership in T20I cricket history during the fifth T20I against Pakistan. Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham shared an unbeaten stand of 121 runs to set the record.
The previous record (119 runs) was jointly held by Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq and Shoaib Malik, and Ireland’s George Dockrell and Curtis Campher.
It is the second-highest total ever chased against Pakistan in T20s, and also means New Zealand finish the series level despite trailing 2-0 after two games. It is also New Zealand’s 100th T20I win, one that will take pride of place in New Zealand T20 folklore.
PAK vs NZ T20: Mark Chapman’s 104*, Neesham’s 45* off 25 stun Pakistan to make it 2-2
The Black Caps pulled off the second highest chase against Pakistan when they made 194-4 in reply to Pakistan’s 193-5 anchored by opener Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 98 off 62 balls.
New Zealand were two down in an over, and Afridi was back, but only to see a remarkable comeback from New Zealand’s Nos. 5 and 6.
New Zealand looked out of it at 73-4 in the 10th over, chasing 194. Then Chapman and Jimmy Neesham combined for an unbeaten 121 runs in 9.3 overs to win the fifth and final T20.
Mark Chapman had been threatening to do this all series, and with the stakes at their highest, he went out and did it. A breathtaking display of magnificently clean hitting against some of the best bowlers in T20 cricket saw the 28-year-old score an unbeaten 57-ball 104, chasing down 194 to mount a comeback for the ages to stun Pakistan.
Blair Tickner’s three-fer halts Pakistan’s great start in 1st Innings
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan might have got Pakistan off to a great start, but much like New Zealand have done in almost every match this series, the bowlers hit back strongly once more. An off-colour Babar was the first to fall, in the final over of the powerplay, as he miscued an on-side slog.
Mohammad Haris came in with two balls left of the powerplay and was eager to make up for lost time, only to misread an off-cutter from Blair Tickner and attempt to lap over short fine leg off his first delivery. Ish Sodhi took a comfortable catch before coming on and dispatching of Saim Ayub with a wrong’un for another duck. Pakistan had suddenly lost three wickets for one run in five balls, and a good Pakistani start had been laid to waste.
Chapman was the series star by scoring 290 runs in five games against a full-strength Pakistan bowling attack. He was dismissed just once in the opening game. It was a stunning show by a New Zealand squad depleted of eight frontline players who opted for Indian Premier League.
Both teams will begin a five-match one-day international series on Thursday at Rawalpindi.
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