New Zealand opener Finn Allen revealed a pre-series agreement with Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf after an impressive display in the third T20I. Finn Allen stated that, as part of the deal, Haris Rauf had committed not to bowl any bouncers at him during the five-match series.
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 45 runs in the third T20I match in Dunedin on Wednesday, January 17. Allen scored 137 runs off 62 balls, including five boundaries and 16 sixes. The young Black Caps opener received the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his batting brilliance.
New Zealand set a formidable total of 224/7 in their 20 overs, with Finn Allen’s explosive knock leading the innings. Tim Seifert contributed 31 runs off 23 balls as the second-highest scorer. Haris Rauf conceded 60 runs in his four overs during the recent T20I match.
We Had A Bit Of A Deal Before The Series – Finn Allen
“Yes, we had a bit of a deal before the series that he [Rauf] wouldn’t bowl me any bumpers and I wouldn’t hit any back at him. He bowled me a bumper, so…,” Allen said with a laugh in the mid-innings break.
“We (him and Seifert) assessed the wicket you know. We thought that strong positions and good cricket shots would give us, sort of, good rewards, and having Tim there, we had a bit of laugh on the way. It was good fun, yeah,” the opener said.
“I have been keeping things simple, putting in the work throughout the series and trying to go into the game with the same gameplan.”
Pakistan managed to score 179/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Babar Azam emerged as the top scorer with 58 runs off 37 balls, and Mohammad Nawaz scored 28 runs off 15 balls. The New Zealand team won the five-match series with two games remaining.
The upcoming fourth T20I clash between New Zealand and Pakistan is set to take place on January 19 in Christchurch. The series will conclude with the final match scheduled at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 21.
Also read: Finn Allen Smashes Record Breaking 16 Sixes In Third T20I Against Pakistan