India all-rounder Axar Patel delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing New Zealand opener Finn Allen in the first T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22. The left-arm spinner ended Allen’s aggressive innings just when the right-hander was threatening to take control of the contest.
The dismissal came on the fourth ball of the eighth over. Axar bowled a 97 kph back-of-a-length delivery outside off stump, prompting Allen to attempt a big shot down the ground. However, the opener failed to time it properly as the bat twisted in his hands. Tilak Varma completed a comfortable catch at long-off to send Allen back to the pavilion.
Allen scored a quickfire 45 off 24 deliveries, striking five boundaries and two sixes. His departure left New Zealand at 80/2 after 7.4 overs.
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After India captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl, New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Allen launched an attacking assault during the powerplay. Seifert targeted Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the third over, smashing two boundaries and a six.
Baapu sends Finn Allen packing! 🫡🔥
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Allen continued the momentum against Arshdeep Singh in the following over, hitting three consecutive fours. The opening pair added 49 runs from just 30 deliveries before Mayank Yadav broke the partnership in the fifth over, dismissing Seifert for 24 off 17 balls. His innings included three fours and a six.
Despite losing Seifert, Allen maintained the scoring rate alongside Daryl Mitchell. Both batters attacked Axar Patel in the sixth over, hitting a six each as New Zealand finished the powerplay at 65/1.
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Allen welcomed Axar back into the attack with another six off the first ball of the eighth over. However, the Indian spinner responded immediately by dismissing the opener three deliveries later. At the halfway stage, New Zealand reached 98/2, with Mitchell unbeaten on 15 off 11 balls and Glenn Phillips on 12 off nine deliveries, keeping the hosts well placed to build a competitive total.
