The New Zealand Finn Allen T20 World Cup final berth was clinched after an extraordinary batting display at the ICC Menβs T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final in Kolkata, where opener Finn Allen scored an unbeaten century off just 33 deliveries. The explosive innings powered the New Zealand national cricket team past South Africa national cricket team with nine wickets in hand, booking a place in the title match later this week.
Play was dominated by New Zealand from the outset as South Africa were restricted to 169 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, despite a resilient 55 not out from Marco Jansen.
In reply, the chase was effectively over in the powerplay overs, with Seifert and Allen posting a rapid 117-run opening stand inside the first eight overs.
Allen was unstoppable throughout his innings. He struck 10 fours and eight sixes, smashing boundaries at will and maintaining a strike rate well above 300, a rate rarely seen in T20 knockout history.
The unbeaten 100 off 33 balls was not only one of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history, but it also completely deflated the South African bowling attack, leaving them unable to recover.
New Zealand reached 173 for one in just 12.5 overs, completing a stunning nine-wicket victory with 43 balls to spare.
Tim Seifert also played a significant role, contributing 58 runs in a well-paced innings that helped solidify the chase early on.
The Australian crowd inside Eden Gardens witnessed a match dominated by big hits and impeccable shot-making as New Zealandβs powerful batting display never allowed South Africa a chance to regain momentum.
This remarkable performance ensured New Zealandβs progression into the T20 World Cup final. It marked a crucial breakthrough, as their path to the final had previously been halted in earlier tournaments by tight knockout losses.
Allenβs century was noted as among the quickest ever in the history of T20 World Cups, smashing past many notable performances and rewriting the record books for semi-final knocks.
While South Africa entered the match unbeaten and widely regarded as favourites, they could not withstand the ferocity of New Zealandβs chase.
Their innings was anchored by a late surge from Jansen, but earlier setbacks left them with too much ground to cover, particularly against a bowling attack that remained disciplined for much of the match.
South Africaβs hopes of claiming a maiden T20 World Cup title will be delayed as they exited the tournament at the semifinal stage, ending their strong run in this yearβs competition.
With their place in the final secured, New Zealand now turns attention to the title match, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between India national cricket team and England national cricket team, scheduled to take place in Mumbai later this week.
Fans around the world will be watching to see if this commanding performance can be replicated in the final as New Zealand chase their first ICC Menβs T20 World Cup crown.