Pakistan’s speedster Haris Rauf produced a moment of brilliance in the third T20I against New Zealand, taking a breathtaking one-handed catch to dismiss Finn Allen. The stunning effort gave Pakistan an early breakthrough, setting the tone for an intense contest at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Haris Rauf’s spectacular grab leaves Finn Allen stunned
The magical moment unfolded in the very first over of the match when Pakistan’s pacer, Shaheen Afridi, bowled a full delivery swinging down the leg side. New Zealand opener Allen attempted to flick the ball but could not keep it down. Positioned at short fine leg, Rauf initially seemed out of reach but reacted instantly, diving full stretch to his right and plucking the ball with one hand.
What made the catch even more special was Rauf’s acrobatics—his body was almost parallel to the ground when he took the grab. Despite the momentum of his dive, he managed to control the ball, ensuring it did not slip from his grasp upon landing. Allen, who was left in disbelief, walked off with a wry smile, acknowledging the brilliance of the effort.
Here is the video:
What a catch, Haris Rauf 🔥🔥
🎥: @TenPakistan #PAKvNZ #PakistanCricket#BabarAzam #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/6ms5yXQvLB
— Hamza (@HamzaRevelion) March 21, 2025
Absolute stunner from Haris Rauf pic.twitter.com/Obqh1k9Vwf
— IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) March 21, 2025
Also WATCH: NZ vs PAK – Shaheen Afridi concedes four sixes in one over as Tim Seifert shines in 2nd T20I
Game-changing moment for Pakistan
Rauf’s extraordinary catch provided Pakistan with the momentum they needed early in the game. New Zealand had been looking for a strong start, but the dismissal of Allen, known for his aggressive stroke play, put the hosts on the back foot. The Pakistani team, energized by the spectacular effort, maintained the pressure on New Zealand’s batting lineup.
The stunning catch soon went viral on social media, with fans and former cricketers praising Rauf’s athleticism and commitment. Many hailed it as one of the best catches in recent T20I history, with comparisons drawn to some of the finest fielding efforts in the game.
Also WATCH: Mark Chapman takes a sharp running catch to dismiss Salman Agha in NZ vs PAK 2nd T20I
