On June 12, 2025, Los Angeles, California, witnessed a truly seismic T20 moment as Finn Allen, the dynamic New Zealand opener playing for the San Francisco Unicorns, hammered 19 sixes in a blistering 151 off just 51 balls against the Washington Freedom in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 season opener.
This extraordinary display didn’t just break franchise records—it rewrote T20 history.
🔥 The Innings of the Century
Allen wasted no time, reaching his brilliant 100 in just 34 balls—the fastest century in MLC history at that time . He dispatched 19 sixes and 7 fours, pushing the Unicorns to a mammoth 269/5, the highest team score in MLC to date.
Allen’s assault demolished previous six-hitting records. In men’s T20s, legends like Chris Gayle and Sahil Chauhan had recorded 18 sixes in an innings. Allen surpassed them convincingly, setting a new one-match record.
🏏 Context and Comparison
This performance gains more significance when viewed alongside Allen’s earlier feats:
- In January 2024, Allen equaled the men’s T20I record with 16 sixes in a knock of 137 off 62 balls against Pakistan in Dunedin.
- That effort also set a New Zealand T20I record and marked the joint-fifth highest T20I innings ever.
But the June 2025 onslaught wasn’t just a continuation—it was a leap. Nineteen sixes transformed it into a once-in-a-generation spectacle.
📊 Offense that Demolished a Champion
Allen’s performance also had serious consequences for his opponents:
- The Washington Freedom, captained by Glenn Maxwell, were bundled out for 146 in just 13.1 overs, conceding a crushing 123-run defeat.
- Their bowling attack, which included notable names like Rachin Ravindra and Bean Sears, was completely taken apart.
The Unicorns’ total of 269 not only set a league record—it highlighted the growing imbalance between T20 batting and bowling in newer leagues.
🎯 What This Means for T20 Cricket
Allen’s mammoth innings has broad ramifications:
| Implication | Details |
| Evolution of the Opener’s Role | Openers are now expected to start T20 innings at full throttle from ball one—no slow starts. |
| Rethinking Bowling Strategies | Teams must tweak player selection, considering aggressive bowlers, deeper bowling attacks, and pitch tactics. |
| Fan Engagement Surge | Innings like this boost viewership and hype, especially in developing markets like the U.S. |
🌐 Global Reaction
The cricket world was quick to react:
“San Francisco’s Allen hits record 19 sixes in MLC season opener” – Reuters, June 13, 2025.
Fans called it “a new standard for T20 batting,” while others pointed out that a similar but smaller six-hitting showcase had happened in the SA20 and IL20 leagues, signaling a global shift in T20 style.
📈 Allen’s Rising Legacy
At 26 years old, Finn Allen is rapidly evolving into one of the most feared white-ball hitters. His achievements include:
- Fastest MLC century (34 balls)
- MLC record for most sixes in a game (19)
- T20I record-equaling innings with 16 sixes
- A batting strike rate over 165 in international T20s.
If he continues this form, Allen could soon be the face of T20 cricket in the Northern Hemisphere, as much as cricketing icons were when they dominated IPL or BBL.
💬 Final Thoughts
Finn Allen’s 19-sixer blast in the MLC opener is more than a highlight reel moment—it’s a statement of changing tides in T20 cricket. As domestic and international leagues continue to evolve, the demand for explosive openers is rising. Batsmen—and fans—should take note: the bar for batting brilliance just got a lot higher.
