Pakistan faced a daunting challenge as New Zealand's opener, Finn Allen, unleashed a record-breaking assault on their bowlers, propelling the hosts to a colossal total of 224-7 in the third T20 International in a high-stakes encounter in Dunedin.
Allen's blistering knock of 137 runs off just 62 deliveries left the visitors with a mountain to climb.
The 24-year-old's innings was nothing short of spectacular, featuring an unprecedented 16 sixes and five fours. His rampage surpassed the previous highest score by a New Zealander in T20 internationals, set by Brendon McCullum, and equaled the world record for most sixes in an innings, held by Afghanistan's Hazratullah Zazai.
Facing an imposing target of 225, Pakistan had their work cut out. Despite the early dismissal of Devon Conway, Allen's partnership with Tim Seifert took the game away from the visitors. Seifert, with a measured 31 from 23 balls, played the supporting role, allowing Allen to unleash his onslaught on the Pakistani bowlers.
The University of Otago Oval witnessed a spectacle as Allen repeatedly sent the ball out of the ground, prompting the umpires to call for replacement balls three times. Zaman Khan finally brought an end to Allen's fireworks in the 18th over with a well-executed off-cutter.
Pakistan's captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, persisted with his decision to bowl first after winning the toss, a strategy that had backfired in the previous two games. Despite Haris Rauf's efforts, who faced the brunt of Allen's assault in one over, Pakistan found themselves in a challenging situation.
As Pakistan prepared to chase down the mammoth target, the spotlight shifted to their batting lineup.
With Allen's record-breaking innings setting the tone, the third T20 promised to be a thrilling contest as Pakistan aimed to pull off a miraculous run chase and keep the series alive.
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi(capt), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(capt), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
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