04 Apr, 2025 | 10:00 AM

New Zealand batter Mark Chapman will miss the third and final ODI against Pakistan at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained during the first ODI of the series.

Chapman had been forced to sit out the second ODI in Hamilton, and after further assessment on Friday, it was confirmed that he has not sufficiently recovered in time for the final match of New Zealand's home summer. As a result, Tim Seifert will continue to take his place in the playing XI.

The injury occurred while Chapman was fielding during the opening match of the series in Napier, where he had delivered a standout performance with the bat, scoring a career-best 132 runs to help New Zealand secure a 73-run victory. His effort in the first ODI set the stage for New Zealand’s dominant 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Despite Chapman’s absence, New Zealand managed to win the second ODI by 84 runs, sealing the series win. Seifert, who had been called up due to his impressive form in the T20I series, will remain in the squad. Seifert was the top scorer in the T20Is, accumulating 249 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 207.50, and was named the Player of the Series. However, the wicketkeeper-batter has not played an ODI in over five years, with his last appearance coming in 2019 against Sri Lanka.

Ben Sears, the quick bowler, replaced Chapman for the second ODI, with Seifert sitting out, while Will Young was also omitted from the playing XI. This led to an international debut for 23-year-old Rhys Mariu, who opened the batting alongside Nick Kelly in the second match.

New Zealand has also been without Tom Latham for the series after the wicketkeeper-batter fractured his hand during training ahead of the first ODI.

As New Zealand eyes a clean sweep of the series in the final ODI, they will do so without Chapman, but with confidence following two dominant performances in the first two matches.