In the third Twenty20 international in Dunedin on Wednesday, New Zealand’s opener Finn Allen created a record by smashing an impressive 137 runs off just 62 deliveries, setting a challenging target of 225 runs for Pakistan. However, Pakistan could only manage 179 runs in their 20 overs in response.
With this victory, New Zealand now leads the five-match series 3-0. Allen’s outstanding innings marked the highest score by a New Zealander in a T20 international, surpassing Brendon McCullum’s previous record of 123. Moreover, Allen equaled the world record for hitting 16 sixes in an innings, a feat also achieved by Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai.
Allen exhibited a particularly aggressive performance against Haris Rauf, scoring 27 runs off one over, which included three sixes, two fours, and a single. His exceptional innings put New Zealand in a commanding position to secure the series with two games to spare, maintaining their unbeaten record at Dunedin’s University Oval.
Despite the early dismissal of Devon Conway for seven, Allen and Tim Seifert built a formidable partnership, contributing 125 runs for the second wicket. Seifert played a supporting role, opting for singles to keep the hard-hitting Allen on strike.
Allen’s powerful hitting forced the umpires to call for replacement balls three times as he sent missiles out of the ground. His innings concluded in the 18th over when he was bowled by an off-cutter from Zaman Khan, who acknowledged and applauded Allen as he left the field.
