In the third Twenty20 International between New Zealand and Pakistan in Dunedin on Wednesday, opener Finn Allen produced an amazing show of power hitting to lead his side to a commanding score of 224-7.
With an astounding 16 sixes in his innings of 137 off just 62 deliveries, Allen equaled the world record set by Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai. His assault broke the previous New Zealand T20I record held by Brendon McCullum, who scored 123, and became the highest-scoring Kiwi man in T20 international history.
Pakistan had their job cut out for them in the match that had to be won, with a challenging target of 225. The stakes were upped when Devon Conway was dismissed early for seven, but Allen and Tim Seifert’s explosive 125-run partnership gave New Zealand the upper hand.
Seifert varied the strike well to keep the explosive Allen on top while playing a supporting role, scoring 31 runs.
The brunt of Allen’s attack fell on Haris Rauf, who gave up 27 runs in an over that included three sixes, two fours, and a single. Three times the umpires had to call for replacement balls due to Allen’s onslaught at Dunedin’s University Oval.
The innings that broke all records ended when Zaman Khan bowled Allen with an off-cutter in the eighteenth over. Opponents applauded Allen as he exited the field, recognizing the remarkable quality of his performance.
Even though Allen said he enjoyed playing against Pakistan’s quick Haris Rauf, the series is currently in the balance because Pakistan needs to pull off an incredible comeback to win the five-match match.
INTERVIEWERS: Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (captain), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan are the players from Pakistan.
New Zealand: Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, and Mitchell Santner (captain).
