Chapman Sidelined for Final ODI as Pakistan Aims for Redemption

April 5, 2025 Mahi Bukhari

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Chapman Misses Final ODI Against Pakistan; Hosts Aim to Complete Sweep

New Zealand will be without middle-order batter Mark Chapman for the third and final ODI against Pakistan, taking place at Bay Oval on Saturday. The left-hander, already absent from the second ODI due to a hamstring strain, underwent a fitness evaluation during a training session, which confirmed he is still unfit to participate.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed Chapman’s unavailability, stating:

“Mark Chapman will miss the final Chemist Warehouse ODI versus Pakistan at Bay Oval due to a hamstring issue. He was previously ruled out of the second ODI in Hamilton, and today’s assessment shows he hasn’t recovered enough to rejoin the playing XI.”

Tim Seifert, who stepped in during the second ODI, will remain with the team for the concluding match of the series.

The Black Caps have already secured the three-match series with back-to-back wins, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, now hopes to avoid a clean sweep and restore some pride after a string of disappointing performances.

Pakistan’s recent tour of New Zealand has been rough. They were previously hammered 4-1 in the T20I series, and now, with just one ODI remaining, the team looks to regain momentum before the upcoming international commitments.

Adding to the home team’s injury concerns, experienced opener Tom Latham had already been ruled out of the ODI series due to a hand injury. In his absence, Michael Bracewell continues to lead the side. Another blow came as Will Young opted to miss the last two ODIs to be with his wife for the birth of their child.

Coach Gary Stead acknowledged the disruptions caused by these withdrawals.

“We’re disappointed to miss out on Mark and Tom, but we’re lucky to have a deep squad. Our backup players are eager and capable of delivering strong performances,” said Stead.

“It’s been a tour where we’ve had to adapt constantly due to players being unavailable for various reasons,” he added.

Babar Azam Eyes Return to Pakistan T20I Squad

In another major development, former captain Babar Azam is expected to rejoin Pakistan’s T20I squad ahead of the Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The potential comeback follows Pakistan’s underwhelming 4-1 series defeat to New Zealand under the leadership of stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha. The team’s batting lineup came under heavy fire for repeated collapses.

Among the few bright spots, Hasan Nawaz scored a stunning century but failed to maintain consistency. Meanwhile, other young batters such as Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Abdul Samad couldn’t leave an impact. Haris managed only 65 runs in five outings, and both Irfan and Samad drew criticism for their poor showings.

These ongoing batting issues have reportedly pushed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider Babar’s exclusion. His technical finesse and experience could bring the needed stability at the top of the order.

Sources suggest that the selection committee sees Babar’s inclusion as crucial ahead of Pakistan’s T20 campaigns, especially with two major tournaments on the horizon.