Mark Chapman's blistering maiden Twenty20 century has powered an inexperienced New Zealand to a series-levelling victory against Pakistan.
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New Zealand looked out of it at 4-73 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 by six wickets.
The Black Caps pulled off the second highest chase against Pakistan with Chapman smashing a career-best 104 not out off 57 balls. Neesham hit 45 not out off 25.
Pakistan had made 5-193 anchored by opener Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 98 off 62 balls.
Monday's win meant New Zealand came back from losing the first two matches in Lahore to square the series 2-2 (Friday's match was washed out).
Chapman was the series star scoring 290 runs for once out in five games against a full-strength Pakistan bowling attack. It was a stunning show by a New Zealand squad depleted of eight frontline players who are at the Indian Premier League (which Pakistani players are not allowed to compete in)
"One of the best innings a lot of us have ever seen," New Zealand captain Tom Latham said.
"They (Neesham and Chapman) just worked out their partnership really well and kept piling the pressure back on the opponents. It's mightily satisfying that we ended with a series draw."
Latham had been dismissed off the first ball by Shaheen Shah Afridi who found the edge of Will Young's bat in the same over. Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim also got two wickets and tied down the New Zealanders.
But Chapman, who smashed 11 boundaries and four sixes, and Neesham cut loose in a chase paced to perfection.
Shadab Khan had a forgetful night in his hometown, taken out of the attack after bowling two overs for 29 runs he dropped Chapman on 67.
"Special knock this from Chapman, congratulations to him," Pakistan captain Babar Azam said. "We were 10-15 runs short."
Rizwan gave Pakistan momentum after fast bowler Blair Tickner, playing his first game of the series in place of an injured Matt Henry, took two quick wickets and ended up with 3-33.
Rizwan, who added 71 runs with Iftikhar Ahmed (36) and a rapid 68 with Imad Wasim (31), hit seven fours and four sixes.
He needed three runs off the final over for his second T20 hundred. But he could make only a single off the first ball. Facing the last delivery by Neesham, Rizwan missed.
Australian Associated Press
