Finn Allen receives a standing ovation as he departs University Oval. Photo: Photosport
Finn Allen rewrote the history books as he produced New Zealand's greatest T20 International innings in Dunedin This afternoon.
Allen plundered Pakistan for 16 sixes, equalling the most hit in a T20I on his way to 137 from just 62 balls, the highest individual score for the Black Caps in the format.
The opener's stunning knock helped New Zealand post an imposing 224/7, the highest score at University Oval, after being sent in to bat.
In reply, Pakistan fell 45 runs short as the Black Caps claimed the five-match series 3-0 with two games to play.
Allen told TVNZ he felt he was in the zone from ball one, having belted 34 and 74 in games one and two.
"I've just been trying to keep things simple, I've put the work in throughout the series and tried to go in with same game plan."
He credited Tim Seifert for the supporting role he played, as he fed the strike to the red hot Allen.
"We assessed the wicket and felt good cricket shots would give us good reward."
Allen's imperious innings saw him overtake Brendon McCullum's 123 against Bangladesh in Pallekele in 2012.
None of the Pakistan bowlers were spared from the carnage, Mohammed Wasim returning 1/35 and Haris Rauf 2/60.
Finn Allen in action for the Blackcaps during the 3rd T20I against Pakistan at University of Otago Oval. Photo: Photosport
Allen took Rauf in particular to task, hammering 47 from 14 balls off the seamer.
Seifert chipped in with 31 as he and Allen combined for 125 from 61 before Allen finally played one on from Zaman Khan.
Wickets began to fall regularly following Allen's dismissal, New Zealand managing just 17 from the last 16 balls.
Tim Southee sent Saim Ayub back to the dugout early for just 10, bringing together Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam to combine for Pakistan's best partnership of 39.
Santner then had Rizwan caught behind for 24 before Lockie Ferguson forced Fakar Zaman to mis-time one into the skies,
Wicketkeepr Azam Khan toed a slower ball from Matt Henry which Phillips swallowed up with Pakistan crumbling to 115/4.
Ahmed was the fifth Pakistan batter sent back without reaching 30, run out courtesy of a direct hit from Santner, marking a collapse of 4-29 for the tourists.
Babar brought up another half century, his sixth in a row batting at first drop, but the classy right hander was again unable to find enough support at the other end.
He was eventually out for 58 as the tourists scrapped their way through the 20 overs, finishing on 178/7.
Southee was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking 2/39.
Game four is in Christchurch on Friday with the first ball at 7.10pm.
-RNZ
