Kolkata: Finn Allen produced one of the most breathtaking innings in cricket history on Wednesday, smashing the fastest century in T20 World Cup history to propel New Zealand into the final with a crushing nine-wicket victory over South Africa at Eden Gardens.
Chasing a target of 170, Allen reached his hundred in just 33 balls—obliterating the previous record of 47 balls set by Chris Gayle—as the Black Caps romped home with more than seven overs to spare.
The 26-year-old’s unbeaten 100 was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring eight sixes and 10 fours. He fittingly brought up the milestone with the winning runs, a boundary that sent the New Zealand dressing room and the Kolkata crowd into raptures.
Record-Breaking Partnership
Allen found the perfect partner in Tim Seifert, who blasted 58 off just 33 balls. The duo plundered 117 runs in a mere 9.1 overs for the opening wicket, effectively ending the contest before South Africa could blink.
“Obviously, we wanted to start looking straight and try to put them on the back foot early,” Allen said after his match-winning knock. “I think it’s easy for me when Timmy’s going like that, I can kind of just watch and then hit it when it’s in my area.”
Seifert’s dismissal to Kagiso Rabada in the 10th over was South Africa’s sole success, but by then the damage was irreversible.
Bowlers Set the Stage
Earlier, New Zealand’s spinners had laid the groundwork for the chase. Electing to field first, captain Mitchell Santner saw his attack restrict the tournament’s only unbeaten side to 169-8.
Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie each took two wickets, reducing South Africa to a precarious 77-5. A resilient 73-run partnership between Tristan Stubbs (29) and Marco Jansen (55 not out) lent some respectability to the total, but it was never going to be enough on a batting-friendly Eden Gardens surface.
“We knew how good South Africa are, and they’ve shown that throughout the tournament,” said Santner. “So, to put on a performance like that in a crunch game is obviously pretty pleasing.”
What’s Next?
New Zealand, seeking their first-ever T20 World Cup title, will now await the winner of Thursday’s second semi-final between hosts India and arch-rivals England in Ahmedabad. The final is scheduled for Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
For South Africa, who entered the semi-final unbeaten in seven matches, it was a bitterly disappointing end to a otherwise dominant campaign.
“I think you look at conditions early and they bowled really well up front,” said losing captain Aiden Markram. “Ball didn’t quite feel like coming on; some were just stopping on the wicket and they made scoring really tough.”
