Former India cricketer and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes New Zealand opener Finn Allen has the ability to match Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking 30-ball T20I century during the upcoming five-match series, citing the Kiwi batter’s six-hitting prowess and the favourable conditions in New Zealand. The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand begins on November 22 in Christchurch. The contest is expected to feature a fascinating battle between two of the most explosive openers in world cricket, Abhishek Sharma and Finn Allen.
This year, Allen has amassed 378 runs in 10 T20Is at an average of 54.00 and a strike rate of more than 202, with one century and two fifties. His highest score is an unbeaten 100.
Abhishek holds the record for the fastest T20I century by a player from a Test-playing nation after smashing a 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan earlier this year. Allen, meanwhile, owns the fastest century across ICC T20 and ODI World Cups, having reached the milestone in 33 balls against South Africa. In 26 T20Is in New Zealand, Allen has scored 737 runs at an average of 29.48 and a strike rate of 175.89, including one century and four fifties.
Because the boundaries are small, “In their conditions, Finn Allen is a very lethal and dangerous player. Because he hits sixes, not boundaries, he is the kind of player who, if he gets going, makes it very difficult for the opposition to stop the runs.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s Out or Not Out , Nayar said Allen has the game to challenge Abhishek’s record. I am not saying it will happen, but it is possible,” said the former India assistant coach. The ground dimensions, pitches and bounce in New Zealand suit his game. “And when the ground dimensions are small, that kind of player can often score those quick hundreds, which he has done in the past. So, I have a feeling that it is possible.
