Opener Finn Allen hit a record 137 off 62 deliveries as New Zealand set Pakistan a 225-run target in the third Twenty20 international in Dunedin on Wednesday.
also was the greatest score by a New Zealander in a T20 international, beating Brendon McCullum’s previous mark of 123, and also tied the global record of 16 sixes in an innings established by Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai.
He was especially tough on Haris Rauf, taking 27 from one over, including three sixes, two fours, and a single.
Allen’s fast innings placed New Zealand in a great position to win the five-game series with two games remaining and retain their undefeated streak at Dunedin’s University Oval.
The eleventh BLACKCAPS player to reach the milestone and the sixth quickest #NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/ggKUbzd0vt— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 17, 2024.
Following Devon Conway’s early removal for seven, Allen and Tim Seifert put up 125 for the second wicket, with Seifert only contributing 31 as he chose singles to keep the hard-hitting opening on strike.
The umpires had to call for new balls three times after Allen smashed rockets into the ground.
The opener was finally undone in the 18th over, when he was bowled by an off-cutter from Zaman Khan, who cheered the New Zealand batsman as he departed the field.