Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan took a brilliant diving catch to send back New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell during the second T20I of the five-match series. Shadab Khan had dropped a catch earlier in Haris Rauf’s over, but he made up for it with a brilliant effort at short cover to dismiss Daryl Mitchell.
New Zealand secured their second consecutive victory in the T20I series. The home team defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a rain-shortened contest at the University Oval in Dunedin on Tuesday, March 18. New Zealand chased down the 136-run target with 11 balls to spare in the 15-overs-per-side match.
Watch: Shadab Khan Takes a Screamer to Dismiss Daryl Mitchell
On the fifth ball of the 13th over in Pakistan’s innings, Shadab Khan pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell off Haris Rauf’s bowling. The batter attempted to play a back-foot punch against a back-of-a-length delivery, and the ball flew toward the right side of Shadab, who was stationed at cover.
The Pakistan all-rounder dived full length to his right and grabbed the ball with both hands. Haris Rauf celebrated Shadab’s brilliant effort. Mitchell, who struggled during his stay at the crease, was dismissed for 14 off 14 balls. The right-arm fast bowler picked up his second wicket of the match.
Have a look at the fielding brilliance right here:
What a catch by shadab khan🔥🔥🔥#PakistanCricket #PAKvsNZ #NZvsPAK pic.twitter.com/vNxNMR5oJw
— Manoo (@1missmanoo) March 18, 2025
Just three balls earlier, Shadab Khan missed an easy catch at cover to dismiss Mitchell Hay. The batter attempted a flick, but the ball took a leading edge and went high into the air. Shadab struggled to position himself under it, moving in circles before eventually dropping the catch.
Pakistan Post 135 Runs in 15-Overs Rain-Shortened Contest
After being sent in to bat, Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for a second duck in the series. Mohammad Haris’ dismissal left the team at 19-2. Salman Agha scored a crucial 46 off 28 balls and added a crucial 31-run stand with Irfan Khan. However, quick dismissals by Ish Sodhi put Pakistan in trouble at 52-4.
Shadab Khan added a quick 26 off 14 balls, while Shaheen Afridi (22*) and Abdul Samad (11) helped Pakistan post 135 in the rain-shortened match. The New Zealand bowling attack put up a collective effort, with Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, and Jimmy Neesham each picking up two wickets.
Tim Seifert Earns Player of the Match for His Aggressive Batting
In response, the Black Caps got off to a flying start with a 66-run opening partnership between Tim Seifert, who scored 45 runs off 22 balls, including three boundaries and five sixes, and Finn Allen, who scored 38 runs off 16 balls, hitting one boundary and five sixes.
Pakistan tried to fight back with wickets from Mohammad Ali, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, and Haris Rauf. However, Mitchell Hay (21*) and skipper Michael Bracewell ensured a comfortable five-wicket victory for New Zealand with 11 balls to spare. The Black Caps secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
New Zealand will take on Pakistan in their third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, March 21.
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