MLC 2025: Finn Allen breaks Chris Gayle's T20 world record in opening game
Finn Allen's 151-run knock propelled San Francisco Unicorns to a score of 269/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
New Zealand's young opener Finn Allen registered his name in history books with a record-breaking innings in the season opener of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season. Playing for the San Francisco Unicorns, Allen hammered a stunning 151 off just 51 balls, breaking the long-standing record for the most sixes in a T20 innings previously held by legendary Caribbean batter Chris Gayle.
The third edition of MLC kicked off at the iconic Oakland Coliseum with a clash between the San Francisco Unicorns and defending champions Washington Freedom. After being asked to bat first, the Unicorns' opener took on the opposition bowlers, smashing 19 sixes in the innings. After losing opening partner Tim Seifert early, Allen brought up his half-century in just 20 balls. He reached his century in 34 deliveries and eventually reached 150 in just 49 balls, recording the fastest 150 in men’s T20 history.
Gayle’s previous record of 18 sixes broken
Allen finally fell on 151 in the 18th over, caught while attempting his 20th six. However, he had already done enough to surpass Chris Gayle’s previous record of 18 sixes set during his 146* in the 2017 BPL final and Sahil Chauhan’s 18 sixes for Estonia in 2024.
Notably, the Unicorns posted an MLC record total of 269/5. Meanwhile, Sanjay Krishnamurthi (36 off 20) and Hassan Khan (38* off 18) kept the scoring rate in check after Allen's dismissal. Interestingly, the total was among the biggest in all T20 leagues globally.
Chasing 270, Washington Freedom began well with openers Mitchell Owen (39 off 20) and Rachin Ravindra (42 off 17) getting them off to a flying start, bringing up 89 in the first six overs. However, with the run rate touching 14.27 by the end of the ninth over, Washington was at 113/6 and required 157 runs in 66 balls.
Most sixes in an innings in T20s
| Players | Runs | Sixes | Team | Opposition | Year |
| Finn Allen | 151 | 19 | San Francisco Unicorns | Washington Freedom | 2025 |
| Chris Gayle | 146* | 18 | Rangpur Riders | Dhaka Dynamites | 2017 |
| Sahil Chauhan | 144* | 18 | Estonia | Cyprus | 2024 |
| Chris Gayle | 175* | 17 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Pune Warriors | 2013 |
| Punit Bisht | 146* | 17 | Meghalaya | Mizoram | 2021 |
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