Finn Allen scores the fastest century in a T20 World Cup as New Zealand beat South Africa by nine wickets to reach the final.
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Published March 4, 2026
New Zealand stormed into the Twenty20 World Cup final by defeating South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens.
Once in bat, South Africa went from a shaky 77-5 to a competitive 169-8 with Marco Jansen leading the recovery with a belligerent 55 not out.
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But Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten hundred off 33 balls and shared the opener with Tim Seifert (58) on 117 runs as New Zealand surged towards the target in just 12.5 overs.
Allen’s feat became the fastest century recorded in a T20 Cricket World Cup.
“We wanted to get off to a good start and put them on the back foot early,” Allen said. “If Tim (Seifert) is like that, it’s easy for me. His batting led us to an absolute flyer.”
“In the semifinals, it’s easy to stay up for the game. Tim (Seifert) and I just keep fighting each other and having fun together.”
Earlier, Jansen’s fifty came in response to Kiwi spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie taking two wickets each before Tristan Stubbs and Jansen rescued the innings by hitting 73 wickets at India’s Eden Gardens Kolkata.
Stubbs, 29, and Jansen hit two fours and five sixes in their 30-ball knock to help New Zealand reach the 170 target for a place in the final.
India played West Indies at the same ground on Sunday and managed to chase 196 runs.
South Africa were the only unbeaten team in the tournament, while New Zealand reached the semi-finals on net run rate.
McConchie batted first with an off-spin in the second over, sending Quinton de Kock back for 10, and the next ball was Ryan Rickelton, but Dewald Brevis avoided a hat-trick.
Aiden Markram was given a reprieve for three as Ravindra dropped to off-pace bowler Lockie Ferguson at midwicket.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra got his revenge in No. 18 after South Africa captain Daryl Mitchell caught him in the deep.
David Miller was dropped by Glenn Phillips for three on, but five balls later he was dropped by Ravindra for six, and again Mitchell caught it at long-on.
South Africa had lost half their team in 10.2 overs when Jimmy Neesham left Brevis’ knock short for 34.
Ferguson bowled Stubbs, but Jansen reached his fifty with six hits.
Pace bowler Matt Henry only returned on Tuesday night after returning home to give birth and took 2-34.
South Africa’s bowling numbers will soon be forgotten as the notable numbers and memorable moments were Allen’s.
“Let’s take the positives from this game and celebrate the small moments of success,” Allen said. “And we have the final on Sunday, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Defending champions India will face two-time champions England in the second semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday before Sunday’s final.
