Finn Allen made the highest T20 score by a New Zealand player to help them to a series-clinching win over Pakistan.
His 137 off 62 balls, which included 16 sixes – the joint-most in a men’s T20 international innings – powered the Black Caps to 224-7 in the third T20.
Babar Azam hit 58 from 37 deliveries in reply, but Pakistan managed only 179-7 as they lost by 45 runs in Dunedin.
Victory gave New Zealand an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Allen broke the New Zealand record of 123 set by Brendon McCullum against Bangladesh in 2012, while his 16 sixes matched Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai against Ireland in 2019.
Allen took 27 off one over from Haris Rauf and the umpires also had to replace the ball three times after he hit them out of the ground.
“It’s good to see the hard work of the last few months come off,” said Allen.
“I’m not so personal milestone-driven. It’s just good to get across the line and put up a competitive score and take the series.”
The final two matches will take place in Christchurch on Friday and Sunday.
