Arshdeep creates history in 5th T20I, equals Tim Southee's powerplay wickets record

India’s left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh (Image: IANS)

India pacer Arshdeep Singh continued to add to his impressive T20I record, equalling Tim Southee's milestone for the most wickets in the first six overs of men's T20Is involving Full Member nations.Arshdeep achieved the feat during the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday. The left-arm pacer dismissed opener Finn Allen in the second over of the innings to claim his 65th powerplay wicket in T20I cricket.

With the dismissal, Arshdeep moved level with former New Zealand pacer Southee, who also has 65 wickets in the first six overs. However, the Indian quick reached the milestone in just 99 innings, considerably quicker than Southee, who took 119 innings.Allen was dismissed in the 1.3 over when he tried to pull a short-of-length delivery from Arshdeep. The ball bounced extra, took the top edge off Allen's bat, and flew high to midwicket, where Ishan Kishan completed a fine catch.Allen departed for just two runs off three deliveries, handing India an early breakthrough.

Most wickets in the first six overs in men's T20Is (Full Member nations):

• 65 – Arshdeep Singh (99 innings)
• 65 – Tim Southee (119 innings)
• 62 – Blessing Muzarabani (95 innings)
• 62 – Richard Ngarava (96 innings)
• 60 – Shaheen Afridi (99 innings)

Following Allen's departure, Tim Seifert and Daryl Mitchell took responsibility for rebuilding New Zealand's innings. The duo put together a crucial partnership to steady the hosts after the early setback. Seifert led the counterattack, scoring 41 off 25 deliveries, while Mitchell contributed 14 off eight balls as New Zealand reached 59/1 at the end of the powerplay.The sixth over proved particularly expensive for India, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceding 20 runs. Seifert made the most of the over, striking two sixes and a four to put pressure back on the Indian bowling attack.