New Zealand opener Finn Allen played a brilliant knock of 151 off 51 balls in the first match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, while playing for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom, which was played on June 12. Washington won the toss and chose to bowl first as Finn Allen smashed Washington bowlers all around the park, cracking 151 in 51 balls, including 5 fours and 19 sixes with a strike rate of 296.08. Unicorns scored 269/5 in 20 overs and managed to win the match by 123 runs. In this sensational knock, Allen broke records that are highlighted in this piece below:

5. Highest sixes in a T20 Innings

Allen smashed 19 sixes in his 151-run knock in 51 balls during the first MLC 2025 match. He hit 19 sixes, which is the highest by any batter in a T20 innings. The right-hander managed to break the previous record held by Chris Gayle, who had hit 18 sixes during the 2017 Bangladesh Premier League final.

4. Highest score by any batter in the history of MLC

Former West Indian left-hander Nicolas Pooran held the record for scoring an unbeaten 137 in 55 balls while playing for MI New York against Seattle Orcas during the 2023 MLC season, where he hit 10 fours and 13 sixes. Allen managed to break this record by scoring 151 on the 12th of June 2025 while playing for San Francisco Unicorns, thus becoming the highest scorer in a particular match in the history of the tournament.

See Also: WATCH: Rachin Ravindra's consecutive sixes against San Francisco Unicorns in match number 1 of MLC 2025

3. Fastest Centurion in the history of MLC

Allen scored a century in the opening game of the 2025 MLC tournament in just 34 balls. Former West Indian left-hander Nicolas Pooran, who retired from International cricket, earlier held the record for the fastest century in the tournament's history when he scored a century in 40 balls during the 2023 season against Seattle Orcas while playing for MI New York. The right-hander managed to get past this record on 12th June 2025.

2. First Batter to score fastest 150 in a T20 match

Allen scored 150 in just 49 balls during his knock of 151 in 51 balls while playing for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom on the 12th of June 2025. Earlier, South Africa's Dewald Brewis held the record for the fastest 150 in a T20 game when he had scored 150 in 52 balls in a CSA T20 challenge match for Titans against Knights. Allen got past this record with a brilliant 150 in 49 balls in the 2025 MLC opener.

1. Fastest Century by a New Zealander in T20s

Allen's 34-ball century for San Francisco Unicorns during the opening match of the 2025 MLC campaign is the fastest in the shorter format in any T20 tournament by a New Zealander. Earlier, former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill held this record when he had scored a 35-ball century for Worcestershire against Northamptonshire during the 2018 Vitality Blast T20 tournament. Allen broke this record by scoring a century in 34 balls. 

In sad news, Worcestershire has confirmed the passing of their promising young left-arm spinner, Josh Baker, at the age of 20. Baker, who debuted in first-class cricket for Worcestershire in July 2021 after emerging from the county’s academy, had represented England at the Under 19 level on two occasions. Additionally, he served as a reserve player for England’s U19 World Cup squad in 2022. The day before the club announced his passing, the young cricketer was active for his county’s second team, where he managed to take three wickets. In the current season, he participated in two County Championship matches.

News announced by Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Until the conclusion of the previous season, he had played in a total of 20 first-class matches, securing 39 wickets and contributing two half-centuries with the bat. Impressively, across all formats, he amassed 70 wickets and scored 525 runs during his short-lived career. Additionally, he signed a three-year contract in 2023 and played five matches as Worcestershire secured promotion from County Championship Division Two.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club announced the tragic passing of Josh Baker and expressed their deep sadness. Baker, who joined in 2021, was renowned for his vibrant spirit and professionalism. The club pledged support for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult period, planning to honor his memory in consultation with his family. They requested privacy and refrained from further comments. Baker’s warmth and enthusiasm left a lasting impact on the club.

See also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/england-announce-15-member-squad-for-t20-world-cup-2024

We will all miss him terribly: Ashley Giles

The former England player Ashley Giles who is also the CEO of the Worcestershire showcased his distress and expressed that the news is devastating. Giles said that Baker was much more than a teammate and was also an essential part of the cricketing setup. The former England spinner also said that the entire team will miss him terribly.

“The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated. Josh was much more than a teammate; he was an integral part of our cricket family. We will all miss him terribly. All our love and prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends,” Giles said.