Hailstorm ends Pakistan-New Zealand T20I after Chapman blitz

A hailstorm shower ended the fourth Twenty20 international in Rawalpindi after New Zealand's Mark Chapman and Chad Bowes hit aggressive half-centuries against Pakistan on Thursday.

Chapman was 71 not out off 42 balls as New Zealand -- sent into bat by Pakistan -- were 164-5 in 18.5 overs when rain stopped play at Rawalpindi stadium.

It turned into a hailstorm and match officials assessed the conditions before calling off the match as abandoned.

The hail wins in Rawalpindi 🌧️

A maiden international half-century for Chad Bowes and 71* from Mark Chapman leading the side to a promising total before the thunder and hail came.

All eyes on T20I 5 on Tuesday morning NZT. Catch up on scores: https://t.co/hsLdaizfhZ pic.twitter.com/4GEHhtcDDE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 20, 2023

Pakistan leads the five-match series 2-1 after winning the first two matches by 88 and 38 runs while New Zealand took the third by four runs -- all in Lahore.

The final match is in Rawalpindi on April 24 after the Eid holidays.

Left-hander Chapman held the innings with stands of 54 for the fourth wicket with Bowes who made 38-ball 54, lifting New Zealand from a precarious 3-54.

Pakistan's left-arm spinner Imad Wasim had derailed New Zealand by dismissing Tom Latham (13), Will Young (six) and Daryl Mitchell (three) to finish with figures of 3-19 in his four overs.

Chapman, who hit ten boundaries and a six, completed his 1,000 Twenty20 international runs on 49 and also added 56 for the fifth wicket with Rachin Ravindra who scored eight.

Bowes hit seven boundaries and a six before falling to Shaheen Shah Afridi.