Allen Unleashes Six-Hitting Fury as New Zealand Crushes Pakistan, Clinching T20 Series 3-0

Dunedin, New Zealand - New Zealand's talented young gun Finn Allen rewrote the record books on Wednesday, unleashing a six-hitting masterclass to power his team to a dominant 45-run victory over Pakistan in the third T20I and clinch the series 3-0 with two matches to spare.

Chasing a daunting target of 225 set by New Zealand after Allen's pyrotechnics, Pakistan succumbed to a disciplined bowling performance from the hosts, falling short at 179/7. But the night belonged to Allen, who etched his name in T20I history with an innings for the ages.

Facing a Pakistan attack missing key bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr., Allen went berserk from the get-go. He treated the bowlers with disdain, clearing the ropes at will with astonishing display of power and timing. Sixes rained down upon the University Oval in Dunedin, with Allen equaling the world record for most sixes in a T20I innings – 16 – previously held by Afghanistan's Hazratullah Zazai.

Allen's 137-run knock off just 62 balls was a whirlwind of clean hitting. He found the boundary with ease, dispatching deliveries over midwicket, square leg, and even fine leg with equal disdain. His innings included five fours alongside his record-equaling 16 sixes, showcasing his complete repertoire of strokes.

Allen's batting blitz overshadowed other contributions from the New Zealand camp, but Tim Seifert's cameo of 31 off 23 balls provided good support at the top. The middle order chipped in with useful contributions, ensuring a strong total of 224/7 on the board.

Chasing a stiff target, Pakistan's innings faltered early. Babar Azam top-scored with a gritty 58, but wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing the visitors from building any momentum. Shan Masood (34) and Agha Salman (26) showed glimpses of resistance, but the New Zealand bowlers, led by Lockie Ferguson's three wickets, maintained control throughout the chase.

In the end, Pakistan fell short by 45 runs, handing New Zealand a convincing victory and an unassailable lead in the series.

Key Takeaways:

Finn Allen's record-equaling 16 sixes and 137-run knock powered New Zealand to a massive total of 224/7.

Pakistan's chase faltered early, with Babar Azam's 58 being the lone bright spot.

New Zealand bowlers maintained control, with Lockie Ferguson claiming three wickets.

New Zealand clinches the T20I series 3-0 with two matches to spare.

Quotes:

Finn Allen, Player of the Match: "It's a special feeling. I just tried to hit the ball hard and clear the ropes. To equal the record is amazing, and I'm really happy with the team's performance."

Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: "Finn was outstanding tonight. He played with amazing freedom and took the game away from Pakistan. We're delighted with the series win, but we won't get complacent."

Babar Azam, Pakistan captain: "We were outplayed tonight. Allen batted incredibly well, and we couldn't put enough pressure on them with the ball. We need to learn from our mistakes and bounce back in the remaining games."

The series win marked New Zealand's dominance in white-ball cricket, extending their unbeaten streak to nine matches. But more importantly, it showcased the emergence of a new star in Finn Allen. His fearless attitude, coupled with his raw power and ability to clear boundaries at will, makes him a nightmare for bowlers and a delight for fans.!! With the T20 World Cup looming later this year, Allen's performance has sent a clear message!!, the Black Caps are a force to be reckoned with, and Allen is a player to watch out for.

Looking Ahead:

While the series win is confirmed, both teams will look to use the remaining two matches as an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming World Cup later this year. The second T20I will be played on Friday, January 19th, in Hamilton.