Blackcaps v Pakistan: New Zealand denied by hailstorm after strong start in fourth Twenty20 at Rawalpindi

New Zealand's fourth Twenty20 against Pakistan has been abandoned, after heavy rain and hail at Rawalpindi forced the game to be called off.

The result means the Blackcaps can only draw the series, with the fifth and final T20 to be played on Tuesday (NZT).

Ground staff cover the pitch after a hailstorm shower stopped the game.
Ground staff cover the pitch after a hailstorm shower stopped the game. Photo credit: Getty Images

Coach Gary Stead's men would've been hopeful of forcing a decider, after their stunning win at Lahore on Monday.

But persistent rain caused massive puddles to form on the outfield, leaving the umpires with no choice but to call the game off.

Particularly because the Blackcaps had made an enterprising start after being sent into bat, reaching 164/5 off their 18 overs.

Opener Chad Bowes struck a maiden half-century, while Mark Chapman finished not out on 71 to set up a fascinating run chase.

Blackcaps captain Tom Latham hit three boundaries in the opening over, before he picked out Haris Rauf in the field to be dismissed for 13.

Will Young (6) soon followed, with Imad Wasim picking up his second wicket, after the Blackcaps batter played onto his stumps.

Wasim had his third just an over later, with Daryl Mitchell knicking him off to wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan for just three runs.

While wickets tumbled around him, Bowes showed no sign of letting up, bringing up his first 50 for New Zealand with a thumping six.

He would finally depart for 54, after Shah Afridi took a sensational caught and bowled.

But his dismissal saw Chapman take ascendency, as he found the boundary rope with ease to pin the Pakistanis back.

Pakistan did have the final say before rain brought proceedings to a halt, with Haris Rauf picking up the wicket of Rachin Ravindra for just eight runs.

New Zealand 164/5 (Chapman 71 not out, Bowes 54; Wasim 3/19) 18.5 overs