The Blackcaps have levelled their Twenty20 International series with Pakistan at one game apiece, winning the third match by seven wickets thanks to terrific innings from Mark Chapman.
Just one day after the under-strength Blackcaps were crushed by Pakistan in the second Twenty20 international, New Zealand chased down their target of 179 with 10 balls to spare thanks to Chapman’s unbeaten 87 off 42 deliveries.
After the opening Twenty20 was rained off, the result leaves the five-game series in the balance with two matches remaining.
After being asked to bat by New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell, Shadab Khan top-scored for the hosts with 41 off just 20 deliveries, while captain Babar Azam and opener Saim Ayub provided totals of 37 and 32 respectively.
Ish Sodhi took two of New Zealand's four wickets, with Michael Bracewell and Jacob Duffy the only other Kiwi bowlers to collect a dismissal.
The Blackcaps opening pair of Tim Robinson and Tim Seifert got New Zealand off to a good start, scoring 42 runs before Seifert dragged a delivery onto his stumps in the fourth over.
Robinson followed just six balls later thanks to a stunning inswinging yorker from Naseem Shah that crashed into the stumps.
However, that wicket brought Chapman to the crease who together with Dean Foxcroft put on a 117-run partnership to swing momentum towards the visitors.
The highlight of the innings came during the 15th and 16th overs when the pair smacked 40 runs off two of Pakistan's most experienced bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
After Foxcroft was dismissed for 31 by Abbas Afridi, Chapman and James Neesham guided New Zealand to the surprise win.
Chapman, who hit nine fours and four sixes, said it was a great bounce back result for the side.
"I think we know Pakistan have a great attack, 178 was a chase-able score, generally it's high scoring here," Chapman said
"Yesterday it was slower, and we lost wickets in clumps... you have 100 partnerships, you give yourself a good chance to win.
"The way Siefert and Robinson set it up, we had a platform and we just tried to keep up with the rate, we knew they have world-class attack."
The series now relocates from Rawalpindi to Lahore for the final two matches.
Pakistan 178/4 off 20 overs (Khan 41, Azam 37; Sodhi 2/ 25) New Zealand 179/3 off 18.2 overs (Chapman 87, Foxcroft 31; Afridi 2/27)
