Mark Chapman missed his well deserved hundred just by six runs, as his (94) off just 44 balls helped New Zealand post a competitive total of 204 against Pakistan in the third T20I in Auckland. Chapman was absolutely brutal with bat in hand, as he kept attacking the Pakistani bowlers, who were guilty of bowling too many loose balls. The southpaw's knock was studded with 11 fours and four sixes.
Inserted to bat first, New Zealand got off to a rocky start as they lost the opener, Tim Seifert, for a duck. In came Chapman at number three, and immediately signaled his intent by taking on Abrar Ahmed Shaheen Shah Afridi in the power play. He scored boundaries at will and kept ticking the scoreboard at a rapid clip. While wickets kept falling at the other end, Chapman continued on his merry way and peppered the short boundaries on either side of the wicket at the Eden Park surface.
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For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowler as the pacer picked up three wickets and was economical with the ball in hand. Abrar had a forgettable outing as he went for 43 runs in just three overs.
Pakistan batters have a huge task in hand as Mark Chapman's knock puts NZ in ascendancy
Chapman's knock has given the hosts an edge heading into the second innings. Pakistan batters will have huge challenge up their sleeve to overhaul this 200 plus target. Their batters have struggled in two games so far, with no notable contribution from the inexperienced top order batters. Only, Salman Ali Agha has looked convincing at the crease.
This is a do-or-die game for the Men in Green as a defeat in the third T20I will enable yet again an overseas T20 series defeat.
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