Finn Allen's record-breaking knock helps NZ clinch series vs Pak

NEW DELHI:

New Zealand

secured a resounding T20 series win against

Pakistan

with two games to spare, propelled by opener

Finn Allen

's record-breaking innings of 137 off 62 balls at the University Oval in Dunedin on Wednesday.
The Black Caps, sent in to bat in the third match of the five-game series, posted a colossal 224 for seven, winning by 45 runs after restricting Pakistan to 179 for seven.

Scorecard: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I

Record-setter Finn Allen
Allen's swashbuckling performance, following his explosive 74 off 21 balls in the previous game, set the stage for New Zealand's dominance.
Allen smashed 16 sixes and five fours in his whirlwind innings, surpassing

Brendon McCullum

's record to claim the highest score by a New Zealander in a T20 international. His innings also equaled the world record of 16 sixes in an innings, held by Afghanistan's

Hazratullah Zazai

.
The opener's onslaught included a remarkable over against Haris Rauf, where he took 27 runs with three sixes, two fours, and a single. Rauf conceded 60 runs in his four overs, while Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi also faced challenges, giving up 44 and 43 runs respectively.

Allen-Seifert's century stand
After the early dismissal of Devon Conway for seven, Allen and

Tim Seifert

formed a formidable partnership of 125 for the second wicket, with Seifert playing a supporting role to keep the hard-hitting Allen on strike.
Allen's power-hitting was so intense that the umpires had to replace the ball three times during his innings.
In the 18th over, Zaman Khan finally dismissed the relentless Allen with an off-cutter, receiving applause from the bowler as he left the field.

Pakistan struggled despite Babar's fifty
Pakistan's chase never gained momentum, and despite

Babar Azam

's top score of 58 off 37 deliveries, they fell short of the required run rate. The visitors reached 95 for two in the 11th over, but a series of wickets derailed their chase, losing four for just 39 runs.
Mohammad Nawaz's late cameo of 28 off 15 was not enough to alter the outcome.
New Zealand sealed series 3-0
With the series already sealed, the remaining two matches in Christchurch on Friday and Sunday will serve as opportunities for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and showcase their T20 prowess.
New Zealand will aim to continue their dominant run, while Pakistan seek a comeback to salvage pride in the concluding matches.

(With inputs from AFP)