UAE vs NZ: "Certainly No Surprise To See The Way They've Played" - Mark Chapman After 7-Wicket Loss Against UAE
Published - 20 Aug 2023, 01:02 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
New Zealand batter Mark Chapman acknowledged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) performance in the first two T20Is of the ongoing three-match series. Mark Chapman highlighted that the associate nations have enhanced their performance and beat the Test-playing nations in recent times.
The Muhammad Waseem-led team came close to winning the series opener but lost the first match by just 19 runs. However, the UAE team created history by registering a seven-wicket victory in the second T20I at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Saturday, August 19.
It’s Producing Some Good Talent – Mark Chapman
Speaking after New Zealand’s seven-wicket loss, Mark Chapman said that he wasn’t surprised by the UAE’s performance in the T20I series.
“I think we’ve seen associate cricket is going from strength to strength. The T20 World Cup in Australia highlighted that with some associate nations turning over some Test nations,” Chapman said.
“Certainly no surprise to see the way they’ve played and the confidence they have with some really strong local tournaments here. It’s producing some good talent,” he added.
Chapman scored 63 runs off 46 deliveries with the help of three boundaries and three sixes. The left-handed batter was the top scorer in the lineup, helping the team reach a total of 142/8. The hosts chased down the target with 26 balls to spare.
Probably Wasn’t Enough On That Wicket – Mark Chapman
Mark Chapman remarked that they struggled to establish partnerships that would allow them to post a competitive total on the board during the second T20I match.
“I think similar to the first game we lost wickets throughout and weren’t able to establish any partnerships and put some pressure back on the bowling,” he further added.
“A similar theme (in this second match) where we had to scrap to a score and it just showed it probably wasn’t enough on that wicket,” he concluded.
Young spinner Aayan Afzal Khan picked up three wickets for just 20 runs in his full over quota to restrict the opposition to a below-par total. The visitors dropped three catches while defending the target.
Also read: IND vs NZ: Mark Chapman Receives His First Central New Zealand Cricket Contract
