Flamboyant batter Finn Allen will auction off a limited-edition shirt to raise money for Cancer Society New Zealand. This unique shirt holds special significance, as it commemorates Allen’s remarkable knock of 137 runs off just 62 balls against Pakistan in January 2024. The opener displayed his explosive batting prowess by hitting 16 sixes, which is a world record in the shortest format. Interestingly, the 24-year-old also established the highest individual score by a Kiwi in T20Is.
Meanwhile, the number of sixes hit by Allen aligns perfectly with the number he wears on his playing shirt. To honour this momentous achievement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has produced 16 limited-edition Finn Allen playing shirts. One of these exclusive shirts will be auctioned off to raise funds for a cause that is deeply personal to Allen.
The framed shirt, adorned with the number 16, will be auctioned on a popular online marketplace. In a heartwarming gesture, ANZ, a major sponsor of both the BLACKCAPS and the Cancer Society, has committed $6,000 to top up the final bid. This amount reflects the impressive six-hitting prowess demonstrated by Allen during his record-breaking innings.
His decision to support the Cancer Society stems from his own family’s experience with the disease. His aunt tragically passed away from ovarian cancer before he was born. Although he never had the chance to see her, he witnessed the profound impact it had on his family. The timing of this initiative is poignant, as it marks 29 years since his aunt’s passing. Allen’s desire to give back and make a difference led him to auction this special shirt for a cause close to his heart.
“I’ve had a lot of family and friends who have been heavily affected by cancer in one way or another, so to turn a special achievement into something that will give back in some way is pretty rewarding. I felt so in the zone during that innings, that time went really fast and it felt like it was over and done pretty quickly - so this is a nice way to make the moment more memorable,” Allen was quoted as saying by nzc.nz.
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