Left Arm Around

Finn Allen strikes outstanding hundred as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 45 runs in Dunedin to seal an unassailable 3-0 series win.

His knock of 137 from 62 balls featured 5 fours and a mammoth 16 sixes- a joint record in T20 internationals alongside Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai.

He also reached New Zealand’s highest individual score in T20 internationals, usurping the 123 scored by current England Test coach Brendon McCullum in September 2012.

Pacer Haris Rauf had a particularly tough day at the hands of Allen- his second over costing 27 as the Auckland native crunched him for 3 sixes and 2 fours.

“It was good see hard work for the last few months to come off, said Allen.

“And to help us get across the line for a series win is always nice.”

NZ’s total of 224-7 was more than enough to clinch victory as the tourists struggled to get going throughout, ending their reply 45 runs short on 179-7.

Babar Azam struck a third consecutive fifty with a classy 58 from 37 deliveries, but no other Pakistan batter was able to pass 28 at the University Oval.

Tim Southee starred with the ball for the hosts as he continued his impressive series.

He returned figures of 2-29 from his 4 overs- capturing the key wickets of opener Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz.

The sides face off for the final two games of the series at Hagley Oval on Friday and Sunday.