New Zealand opener Finn Allen smashed a record-breaking 137 off 62 deliveries as New Zealand set Pakistan a 225-run target in the third T20I against Pakistan in Dunedin on Wednesday.
In the process, Allen went past Brendon McCullum as the player with the highest score by a New Zealander in the shortest format of the game. Not only that, he also also equalled the world record of 16 sixes in an innings held by Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai. He hit Pakistan star Haris Rauf for 27 in an over.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and again elected to bowl first in the third Twenty20 international against New Zealand. A Blackcaps win will seal the five-match series for the hosts, who comfortably won the first two games by 46 and 21 runs respectively.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who won the toss for the first two games and bowled first, said the overcast conditions were in his favour. “I think we’re ready,” he said of the need to win and keep the series alive.
New Zealand stand-in captain Mitchell Santner said he probably would have bowled first as well but still expected a high-scoring performance.
The Black Caps are without regular captain Kane Williamson, who was already scheduled to be rested for game three and will now miss the remainder of the series because of a hamstring injury.
Tim Seifert replaced Williamson with Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson also added to bolster the bowling ranks.
New Zealand have never lost in 15 internationals at Dunedin’s University Oval.
The hosts also lead the five-match series 2-0 and will look to clinch the series with a win. (NDTV)