Mark Chapman Ruled Out of Final ODI Against Pakistan

In news that does little to change the fortunes of the Pakistan cricket team in New Zealand, the Kiwis will be without in-form batter Mark Chapman for the third and final ODI against the visitors at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, as the left-hander continues to recover from a hamstring strain.

Chapman sustained the injury while fielding in the opening ODI in Napier, which also kept him out of the second ODI in Hamilton. Despite the rest, his condition hasn’t improved enough to warrant a return, according to assessments conducted during Friday’s training session.

Mark Chapman had been in stellar form against Pakistan during the ongoing series. After a decent T20I series, the left-hander really shone in the first ODI with a career-best 132, which helped his team get off to a winning start.

In Chapman’s absence, things are not expected to get any better for Pakistan, as Tim Seifert is set to hold his place in the squad. Seifert, who was brought in on the back of a stellar T20I series performance, had been left out of the playing XI in the second ODI as selectors opted for extra pace with Ben Sears, but he is expected to remain in the mix for the series finale.

Seifert was in red-hot form during the five-match T20I series earlier in the tour, finishing as the top run-scorer with 249 runs at a blistering strike rate of 207.50, earning him the Player of the Series award. However, Saturday’s game, if he features, would mark his first ODI appearance in more than five years. The 29-year-old last played a 50-over international back in 2019 against Sri Lanka in Nelson and has just three ODIs to his name.

New Zealand have already secured the series 2-0 following a commanding 84-run victory in the second match. With the series already wrapped up, the third ODI offers New Zealand a chance to experiment further, while Pakistan will be playing for pride as they look to end their tour on a positive note.