Finn Allen smashed a sensational unbeaten century as New Zealand crushed hot favourites South Africa by nine wickets to reach the T20 World Cup 2026 final today.
Allen completed his century off just 33 deliveries, which is the fastest hundred in the T20 World Cup history.
The 26-year-old’s brilliant innings included ten boundaries and eight maximums.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The decision paid immediate dividends, as they picked up early wickets, leaving the Proteas reeling at 12-2.
Captain Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis brought some stability to the innings, but the duo had returned to the pavilion by the 11th over.
Marco Jansen played an unbeaten 55-run knock, as South Africa reached a respectable 169 total in the allotted 20 overs.
However, it proved nowhere near enough, as New Zealand chased down the target with an incredible 43 balls remaining.
South African bowlers failed to trouble the Kiwis’ batsmen, with Tim Seifert and Allen building a solid 117-run opening stand.
Seifert hit a quickfire 58, which included seven boundaries and two sixes, before being bowled out by Kagiso Rabada.
The Black Caps reached the target in the 13th over when Allen smashed three fours and two sixes off Jansen’s five deliveries.
This will be New Zealand’s second T20 World Cup final, having lost to Australia in the 2021 edition.
