Stats: Northern Knights register fastest 200-plus chase in T20s

Northern Knights' decision to field after winning the toss looked to have backfired when Auckland Aces posted 202/5 in the Burger King Super Smash game at Auckland. But Anton Devcich's 37-ball 76 along with fifties from Daniel Flynn and Daryl Mitchell helped them chase the target down in just 16.5 overs, thereby breaking the world record for the fastest 200-plus chase in T20s, which was earlier held by Delhi Daredevils.

During the IPL 2017 match between Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozshah Kotla, the hosts claimed the world record for the fastest 200-plus chase in T20s. They chased the target of 209 set by the Lions in just 17.3 overs on the back of a 43-ball 97 from Rishabh Pant and 31-ball 61 from opener Sanju Samson. They scored 214/3 and claimed the record that was previously held by South Africa.

The Knights' 16.5-over heist not only gave them the win but also the world record and meant that Delhi Daredevils, who broke a 10-year-old record didn't hold on to that for even a year.

Earlier in the game, Auckland raced to a brisk start before losing three wickets in 14 balls, two of them to New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. However, a 25-ball 48 from their overseas star, Sam Curran, helped them post 202/5 in their quota of overs.

In response, although the Knights lost Tim Seifert and captain Dean Brownlie early, they had opener Devcich, who went on a rampage, at the crease, and he was ably supported by Flynn and Mitchell. The opener struck five sixes and eight fours before he was dismissed in the 11th over by Ben Lister. That was not before he brought the asking rate from over 10 to under 8 and set the perfect platform for the Knights.

Brett Hampton fell just two balls later, but Flynn and Mitchell put on an unbeaten 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket to see the Northern Knights home with 19 balls to spare. Both batsmen hit four fours and four sixes apiece to help them clinch a convincing victory at Auckland.

Victory over the second-placed Auckland helped them consolidate top spot in this year's Burger King Super Smash. The Knights have played a game more but have a six-point lead over Auckland.

List of fastest 200+ chases in T20s:

16.5 - Northern D v Auckland, 2018 (203/4)

17.3 - Daredevils v G Lions, 2017 (214/3)

17.4 - SA v WI, 2007 (208/2)

18.0 - Somerset v Hampshire, 2010 (220/4)