Mark Chapman scored an unbeaten 87 to lead an understrength New Zealand team to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the third Twenty20 International in Rawalpindi on Sunday. The 29-year-old left-hand bowler silenced the 16,000-strong holiday crowd with a 42-ball knock in a high-profile match against Pakistan’s bowling as New Zealand chased down a target of 179 in 18.2 overs. Shadab Khan (41) and Babar Azam (37) were the main contributors to Pakistan’s 178-4 after the hosts sent them to bat. Tim Robinson’s 28 off 19 and Tim Seifert’s 21 off 16 set the tone for New Zealand’s chase. New Zealand were already in a strong position at 53-2 in the sixth innings before Chapman and Dean Foxcroft (31) took over, posting a partnership of 117 for the third wicket. Leveling the five-game tie at 1-1.

Pakistan won the second match by seven wickets, having been eliminated in just two balls in the first match – both games were played in Rawalpindi.

Captain Michael Bracewell, who was named captain after many players were sidelined due to absences, absences and injuries from the Indian Premier League, praised the team’s efforts.

“I think the collaboration between Fox and Chapman is outstanding,” Bracewell said. “I’m really pleased with the way these guys learned last night.”

Pakistan captain Azam expressed regret over dropping Chapman on 16 and 36.

“We started well in the first six overs but when you lose the catch to a set-piece batsman, he takes the game away from you,” Azam said.

“Chapman has been great against us.”

Chapman, who scored his only T20I century at the same venue last year, smashed four sixes and nine fours on his eighth half-century.

Azam defended Shaheen Shah Afridi for 61 in the 15th over, but Chapman hit two fours. He then hit two sixes and two more fours off Naseem Shah’s next delivery to reduce the target to 21 off 24 balls.

Fast bowler Abbas Afridi (2-27) dismissed Foxcroft but by then New Zealand were just nine runs away from victory. Chapman and Jimmy Neesham (six not out) reached the target with ten balls remaining.

Earlier, Shadab hit two sixes and four fours while Azam hit four fours and a six.

Opener Saim Ayub scored 32 runs off 22 balls and Muhammad Irfan Khan scored 30 runs off 20 balls as Pakistan scored 54 runs in the last five overs.

Azam and left-hander Ayub played some aggressive batting for Pakistan to get off to a good start of 55 runs.

Shadab and Irfan boosted the innings with a brisk 62-run stand for the fourth wicket.

For New Zealand, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was the top bowler with figures of 2-25.

The last two matches will be played in Lahore on April 25 and 27.

Both teams are preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and West Indies in June.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)