In a stunning display of power-hitting, New Zealand's Finn Allen, who had been overlooked in the Indian Premier League for three consecutive years, announced his arrival on the Major League Cricket (MLC) stage with a record-shattering performance. Representing the San Francisco Unicorns in the tournament's opening match, the explosive opening batter single-handedly dismantled the Washington Freedom's bowling attack at the Oakland Coliseum on Friday, scripting T20 history by breaking multiple world records.
Finn Allen scripts history with blistering 51-ball 151
Allen's ferocious innings saw him amass a sensational 151 runs from a mere 51 deliveries, an onslaught that captivated spectators and rewrote the format's record books. The centerpiece of his breathtaking knock was an unprecedented barrage of 19 sixes, a feat that eclipsed the long-standing world record for the most maximums in a single T20 innings. This remarkable display of power-hitting surpassed the previous benchmark of 18 sixes, a record jointly held by the legendary Chris Gayle and Estonia's Sahil Chauhan.
From the outset, Allen's intent was clear. Opening the batting with fellow countryman Tim Seifert, he wasted no time in asserting his dominance. By the end of the powerplay, he had already raced to 40 runs off just 14 balls, including five towering sixes. The 26-year-old continued his assault, bringing up his half-century in a blistering 20 balls before accelerating even further to reach his fourth career T20 century in a mere 34 deliveries. This blistering pace also earned him the record for the fastest century in MLC history, bettering Nicholas Pooran's 40-ball effort from the previous season.
Despite his undeniable talent, Finn Allen has had a frustrating journey with the Indian Premier League. Initially brought in by Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a replacement for Josh Philipe in 2021, he was not given an opportunity to play. In subsequent auctions, he unfortunately found no bidders, even after setting his base price at ₹2 crore in the most recent mega auction. This history of being overlooked seemingly fueled a powerful determination to showcase his true potential to a global audience.
On Friday, Allen did more than just prove a point; he rewrote the record books. The attacking right-handed batsman reached the 150-run mark in an astonishing 49 balls, setting a new record for the fastest 150 in the history of T20 cricket. This feat surpassed the legendary Chris Gayle's 50-ball 150, achieved during his iconic 175* in the IPL. The milestone was marked with his 19th six of the innings, a commanding pull shot over deep midwicket that also secured him the title of the most prolific six-hitter in a single T20 innings.
No bowler was safe from Allen's relentless assault. He was particularly severe on Mitchell Owen, striking him for four sixes, one of which brought up his spectacular century. The experienced left-arm bowler, Saurabh Netravalkar, was also on the receiving end, being hit for three colossal sixes. Even the spinner Glenn Phillips was not spared, as Allen dispatched him for a hat-trick of sixes in the single over he bowled, underscoring the sheer dominance of his performance.
Allen's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, comprising just five fours alongside his record 19 sixes, demonstrating a clear strategy of dealing in maximums. His incredible knock finally came to an end in the 18th over when he was dismissed for 151, caught by Glenn Phillips off the bowling of Mitchell Owen while attempting to hit what would have been his 20th six.
Propelled by Allen's historic onslaught, the San Francisco Unicorns posted a mammoth total of 269 for 5. This score established a new record for the highest-ever men's T20 total in the United States, surpassing all previous MLC and American T20 records and making a powerful statement against the reigning champions in the tournament opener. This latest achievement further solidifies Allen's reputation as one of the most destructive batters in contemporary cricket. With over 4,100 T20 runs to his name, he maintains an astounding strike rate of 173.27, the highest among all batsmen with over 1,000 runs in the format. This innings follows his record-breaking 137 against Pakistan in January 2024, where he hit 16 sixes, equaling the T20 International record.