In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, New Zealand opener Finn Allen etched his name into the record books, matching the world record for the most sixes in a T20 international innings, with a jaw-dropping 137 off just 62 deliveries against Pakistan in the third Twenty20 international in Dunedin on Wednesday.
Allen’s extraordinary knock not only surpassed the previous highest score by a New Zealander in T20 internationals – Brendon McCullum’s 123 – but also equaled the world record set by Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, with 16 maximums in a single innings. Haris Rauf bore the brunt of Allen’s onslaught, conceding 27 runs in a single over, a demonstration of Allen’s dominance with three sixes, two fours, and a single.
The whirlwind innings set a formidable target of 225 runs for Pakistan to chase in the third T20 international, putting New Zealand in a commanding position to potentially clinch the five-match series with two games in hand.
After the early dismissal of Devon Conway for seven, Finn Allen found a crucial partner in Tim Seifert. The duo stitched together a remarkable 125-run partnership for the second wicket. Seifert played a crucial supporting role, ensuring the strike was rotated effectively to keep the aggressive Allen on the front foot.
The sheer force of Allen’s shots was evident as the umpires found themselves replacing the ball three times during his innings. Each hit from Allen resembled a missile leaving the stadium, leaving the opposition bowlers struggling to contain the Kiwi opener’s onslaught.
Speaking after the match, Allen expressed his delight at equaling the world record and credited his partnership with Seifert for the team’s success. “It’s a special feeling to be a part of such a record, and credit to Tim for supporting me so well,” said Allen.
New Zealand now holds a substantial advantage in the series, and with two games remaining, they are well-positioned to secure the series victory. Finn Allen’s record-breaking innings will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most spectacular displays of power-hitting in T20 international cricket.
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