The Pakistan National Cricket Team started on a high at the third T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday, March 21. Fast bowler Haris Rauf pulled off an incredible one-handed catch to dismiss Finn Allen for a duck, setting the stage for Pakistan’s aggressive start to the game.
Haris Rauf’s One-Handed Stunner Stuns Finn Allen
Pakistan had won the toss and decided to field first, and it proved to be the right decision right away. Shaheen Afridi, heading the pace attack, struck in the opening over. In the fifth delivery, Afridi delivered a full-length ball that swung down the leg side.
Catch of the day#PAKvNZ #PakistanCricket #Cricket pic.twitter.com/XnVK4lho5G
— Urooj Jawed
(@uroojjawed12) March 21, 2025
Finn Allen tried to flick it, but the ball went toward short fine leg. As if the ball had gone past Haris Rauf, the pacer demonstrated his amazing reflexes. Rauf dived stretched out to his right and caught the ball in mid-air with one hand. Even though he was completely parallel to the ground, he made a clean catch on landing.
The dazzling effort saw Allen walking back to the pavilion with a smile, appreciating the brilliance of Rauf’s fielding. Pakistan could not have wished for a better beginning in this pivotal match against the Black Caps.
Pakistan Misses Early Run-Out Opportunity
Even though the early breakthrough was achieved, Pakistan missed a golden opportunity to put New Zealand under more pressure in the second over. Mark Chapman received a lifeline after being given a reprieve from a run-out attempt.
Abrar Ahmed bowled a cleverly disguised googly, which Tim Seifert edged off to the leg side. Chapman requested a rapid single, but Seifert delayed, and Pakistan was presented with an opportunity. Khushdil Shah tried for a direct hit at the bowler’s end, but his throw just evaded him, and Chapman escaped harmlessly.
Haris Rauf Strikes Again, Dismissing Tim Seifert
Following his show of fielding excellence, Haris Rauf impressed with the ball too in his first over. He got rid of Tim Seifert with a well-judged slower ball at 129.8 km/h.
Seifert shuffled over the crease, trying to hit a lofted shot but timing it perfectly wrong. Agha Salman, who was placed at mid-on, judged the catch to perfection and took the dismissal. Seifert left the pitch after scoring a rapid 19 out of 9 deliveries, having hit one four and two sixes.
Mark Chapman Evades Another Run-Out Opportunity
Mark Chapman kept riding his fortune in the game. During the sixth over, he narrowly escaped a run-out chance for the umpteenth time this time from Haris Rauf.
Abbas Afridi came in with a slower full delivery outside off, which Chapman struck solidly to mid-on and then took off for a fast single. Rauf collected the ball quickly but failed to get the stumps at the bowler’s end, presenting Chapman with yet another lifeline.
This respite was expensive as Chapman approached his century when New Zealand’s aggregate crossed the 150-run threshold, leaving Pakistan on the back foot despite initial success.
Pakistan began the game at a high tempo, courtesy of Haris Rauf’s brilliant catch and timely dismissal. Nonetheless, lost run-out opportunities have meant that New Zealand regained control. With the game moving forward, Pakistan will have to strengthen their fielding efforts to make the most out of their good start.
