New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips left everyone stunned with his gravity-defying catch during the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday, February 19. Phillips pulled off an absolutely stunning catch to dismiss Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan.
Phillips had already made an impact in the match with his quickfire 61 runs off just 39 balls, including 3 fours and 4 sixes during New Zealand's batting. His explosive innings, which included a crucial 125-run partnership with Tom Latham, helped New Zealand reach a formidable total of 320 runs in their first innings.
Phillips's contributions weren't limited to batting. In the second innings, he continued to impress with his exceptional fielding, frustrating the Pakistani batter with his agility and athleticism.
Glenn Phillips pulls off a superman catch to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan
Phillips left everyone shell-shocked with a near-impossible catch to send Rizwan the marching orders. It all happened on the final ball of the 10th over. William O'Rourke delivered a short and wide delivery to Mohammad Rizwan, who attempted a forceful cut shot but failed to achieve the necessary height. Glenn Phillips, anticipating the trajectory of the ball, launched himself to his left, extending his left hand behind his body to pluck the ball out of the air with a single-handed stunner.
Phillips's incredible catch was so spectacular that many hailed it as one of the greatest ever seen in cricket. The dismissal sent Rizwan back to the pavilion after scoring just 3 runs off 14 balls.
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Earlier, put to bat first, New Zealand rode on Will Young and Tom Latham's brilliant centuries to post a formidable total of 320/5. New Zealand's innings began shakily, with Pakistan's mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissing Devon Conway for 10 in the eighth over. The situation worsened as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf quickly removed Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10), leaving the Black Caps struggling at 73/3 in 16.2 overs.
Just as Pakistan appeared to have gained control, wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham stepped up. Coming off a match-winning half-century in the tri-nation ODI series final, Latham partnered with the established Will Young to steady the innings. Their crucial 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket swung the momentum back in New Zealand's favor.
Naseem Shah eventually broke the partnership in the 38th over, dismissing centurion Young for 107 off 113 balls, an innings that included 12 fours and a six. However, Latham remained resilient, carrying his bat with an unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes.
Glenn Phillips then provided a late surge, smashing a rapid 61 off 39 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes, propelling New Zealand to a total of 320 runs.
New Zealand's Playing XI:
Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke.
Pakistan's Playing XI:
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
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