New Zealand's Thrilling Innings: Chapman and Mitchell Lead Against South Africa

In a highly anticipated T20 World Cup group stage match, New Zealand scored 175 for seven against South Africa, driven by a 74-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell. This thrilling encounter drew over 30,000 fans, making for an electrifying atmosphere despite being a non-India fixture.

South Africa, choosing to bowl first, utilized a pitch that offered pace and bounce. Marco Jansen shone with a four-wicket haul, initially putting New Zealand on the back foot. However, Chapman and Mitchell's composed yet aggressive rebuilding offered New Zealand a fighting total, exciting an already charged-up crowd.

Though several South African bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi found conditions favorable, they struggled with consistency. New Zealand's lower order, led by a brisk 23 from James Neesham, pushed the total to a challenging 175 as dew threatened to complicate bowling conditions under lights in the second innings.