Watch: Haris Rauf takes absolutely UNBELIEVABLE catch to stun Finn Allen in NZ vs PAK clash

The Pakistan National Cricket Team got the perfect start as Haris Rauf pulled off an unbelievable catch to dismiss Finn Allen for a duck in the ongoing third T20I against the New Zealand National Cricket Team at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, March 21.

Pakistan won the toss and invited New Zealand to bat first in Auckland, and Shaheen Afridi brought the early breakthrough in the very first over of the match. On the fifth ball of the opening over, Shaheen Afridi sent down a full delivery swinging down the leg side.

Haris Rauf’s one-handed stunner sends Finn Allen packing in the 3rd T20I

Finn Allen attempted a flick, but the ball went aerially towards short fine leg. Just when it seemed like the ball had passed Haris Rauf, the Pakistani pacer produced a moment of magic. In a breathtaking moment, Rauf reacted instantly, diving fully stretched to his right in mid-air, and managed to grab the ball with one hand in the air.

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Despite being parallel to the ground, Rauf controlled the catch perfectly, ensuring it didn’t slip out on landing. The star fast bowler’s incredible effort left Finn Allen walking off with a smile in disbelief. Pakistan couldn’t have asked for a better start against the Black Caps in the third T20I match.

Catch of the day#PAKvNZ #PakistanCricket #Cricket pic.twitter.com/XnVK4lho5G

— Urooj Jawed🇵🇰 (@uroojjawed12) March 21, 2025

However, the Men in Green missed the big chance in the second over, as Mark Chapman survived the runout chance on the fifth ball of the over. Abrar Ahmed bowled a googly, and Tim Seifert got an inside edge while sending the ball towards the leg side.

Mark Chapman immediately called for a quick single, but Seifert wasn’t interested and created a chance for Pakistan. Khushdil Shah aimed for a direct hit at the bowler’s end, but the throw missed, and Chapman was lucky to get the lifeline in the ongoing T20I match in Auckland.

Haris Rauf strikes early but Pakistan fails to capitalize on run-out opportunities

Meanwhile, after impressing one and all with his mind-blowing fielding efforts in the opening over, Haris Rauf made an immediate impact in his first over, as the star pacer dismissed Tim Seifert with a well-executed slower delivery at the iconic Eden Park.

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Rauf cleverly took the pace off the ball, delivering a 129.8 km/h good-length delivery. Tim Seifert moved towards the leg side and attempted a lofted shot down the ground. However, Seifert mistimed it completely, sending the ball high into the air.

Agha Salman, who was positioned near mid-on, judged it well and completed a safe catch, as Seifert walked back after a quickfire 19 off 9 balls, which included one four and two sixes, in the ongoing third T20I match against the Men in Green in Auckland.

Mark Chapman survives two run-out chances against Pakistan

Interestingly, Mark Chapman survived another run-out chance in the sixth over against Pakistan. And this time, Rauf made the mistake, and the tourists are paying for it, as Chapman is near to complete his century with the Black Caps already crossing the 150-run mark on the board.

Actually, Abbas Afridi bowled a slower full delivery on off, and Chapman pushed it firmly to mid-on before setting off for a quick single. Haris Rauf reacted swiftly, picked up the ball, and aimed at the stumps at the bowler’s end, but yet again the throw missed, handing the Kiwi star another lifeline to complete the run.