Mark Chapman’s 87 runs powered New Zealand to beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the third T-20I at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

New Zealand chased the target of 179-run set by Pakistan after losing only three wickets in 18.2 overs.   

The series is now level at 1-1 while the first match was abandoned due to rain.

The remaining two matches are scheduled on April 25 and 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The 29-year-old left-hander smashed his runs off 42 balls to anchor New Zealand's chase of a 179-run target in 18.2 overs against a much-vaunted Pakistan bowling attack, silencing a packed 16,000-strong holiday crowd.

Shadab Khan (41) and Babar Azam (37) were the main contributors in Pakistan's 178-4 after the hosts were sent in to bat.

Tim Robinson hit 28 off 19 balls and Tim Seifert 21 off 16 to set the tone for New Zealand's chase.

New Zealand were already strongly placed at 53-2 in the sixth over before Chapman and Dean Foxcroft (31) took over, adding a solid 117-run third-wicket partnership to square the five-match series at 1-1.

Pakistan won the second game by seven wickets while the first match was washed out after just two balls -- both were also in Rawalpindi.

Captain Michael Bracewell, appointed skipper after a host of players missed out due to playing in the Indian Premier League, unavailability and injuries, praised his team's effort.

"I think the partnership between Foxy and Chapman was outstanding," said Bracewell. "Really happy with the way the guys put the learnings from last night."

Pakistan skipper Azam rued dropping Chapman on 16 and 36.

"We started well with the ball in the first six overs, but when you drop a set batter's catches then he will take the game away from you," said Azam.

"Chapman has always done well against us."

Chapman, whose only T20I hundred came at the same venue last year, clobbered four sixes and nine fours in his eighth half-century in the format.

Azam brought spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi on in the 15th over with 61 to defend, but Chapman cracked two fours. He then smashed two sixes and two more fours off Naseem Shah's next over to bring the target down to 21 of 24 balls.

Fast bowler Abbas Afridi (2-27) dismissed Foxcroft, but by then New Zealand were just nine away from victory. Chapman and Jimmy Neesham (six not out) reached the target with ten balls to spare.

Foxcroft made 31 off 29 balls with the chase completing in the 19th over.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan scored 178 for four wickets in 20 overs.

Both Pakistani openers Saim Ayoub and Baber Azam took a flying start and provided a 50-run stand for the team.

Green caps’s first wicket fell at 55 in 6.2 overs when Saim Ayoub departed after scoring 32 runs.

Saim was caught by James Neesham off Ish Sodhi's bowling after scoring 32 runs from 22 balls at a strike rate of 145.45.

Babar looked in great touch but was caught by Jacob Duffy, bowled by Michael Bracewell, contributing 37 runs off 29 deliveries at a strike rate of 127.58.

Mohammad Rizwan had to retire hurt after scoring 23 runs from 22 balls, with Irfan Khan replacing him.

Usman Khan again couldn't score much and was dismissed after scoring 4 runs from 6 balls

Irfan was joined by all-rounder Shadab Khan and the duo smashed an explosive partnership with the latter dominating the proceedings.

In a 62-run partnership, Shadab stroked 41 runs off 20 balls with the help of six boundaries.

Meanwhile, Irfan finished on 20-ball 30, smashing three fours and a six.

Experienced spinner Ish Sodhi ended up as the best bowler for New Zealand, finishing with figures of 2/25.

Retired hurt Muhammad Rizwan will not join fielding. 

Remember, Pakistan made one change from their side that defeated the Kiwis in the second T20I on Saturday with Abbas Afridi coming in place of Mohammad Amir, who played his first international match after almost four years.

On the other hand, New Zealand put Zak Foulkes and Will O'Rourke in the playing XI over Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears respectively.

Pakistan led the five-match series 1-0 after winning the second game by seven wickets while the first match was washed out after just two balls -- both also in Rawalpindi.

The final two matches are in Lahore on April 25 and 27.

Both teams are preparing for June's Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the West Indies.