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Finn Allen’s 33-Ball Masterclass Fires New Zealand into T20 World Cup Final with Crushing Win over South Africa

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Kolkata, March 2026 :In one of the most breathtaking displays of power-hitting ever witnessed on a global stage, New Zealand opener Finn Allen unleashed a record-breaking unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls to propel his side into the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His blistering century powered New Zealand to a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa at the historic Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Chasing 170, Allen walked out with clear intent — and delivered an innings that will be remembered for years. With ten boundaries and eight towering sixes, he shattered the record for the fastest hundred in the men’s T20 World Cup and became the first player to score a century in a knockout match in the tournament’s history. It was also his third T20I hundred and the joint-fastest by a full-member batter, reaffirming his status as one of the most destructive openers in world cricket.

While Allen dominated headlines, Tim Seifert provided the ideal support act with a fluent 58 from 33 deliveries. Together, they stitched a blistering 117-run opening stand, crushing South Africa’s hopes of defending their competitive 169/8. New Zealand’s chase — completed in just 12.5 overs — marked their first-ever victory over South Africa in a T20 World Cup and sent a strong warning ahead of Sunday’s final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Allen and Seifert Decimate the South African Attack

The chase began with Seifert benefitting from early luck — edges off Marco Jansen ran for boundaries, and he survived a tough chance put down by keeper Quinton de Kock off Kagiso Rabada. Allen, however, needed no such fortune. He opened his account with a crisp four and then launched into a brutal hitting spree, clearing the straight boundary with conviction.

Both batters attacked fearlessly, racing past fifty inside four overs. Allen’s onslaught reached its peak in the sixth over when he marauded Corbin Bosch for 22 runs — four fours and a six — as New Zealand stormed to 91/0, their highest-ever powerplay total in a T20 World Cup match.

Seifert reached his half-century off just 22 balls, while Allen brought up his in 19 deliveries. Their partnership, aggressive yet calculated, left South Africa shell-shocked.

The stand finally ended when Seifert was bowled by Rabada in the 10th over. But by then, the damage was irreparable.

Allen Finishes the Job with a Historic Century

Rachin Ravindra joined Allen and ensured the momentum never dipped. Allen, already in the 70s, continued to toy with the bowlers — driving, slashing, and clubbing Bosch, Maharaj and Jansen with audacious strokeplay.

The moment of history arrived when Allen reached his century in just 33 balls — a thunderous knock capped with a roar of triumph. He fittingly finished the chase with a flat six over mid-off, sparking wild celebrations in the New Zealand dugout.

South Africa Falter Again on the Big Stage

Earlier, South Africa posted 169/8 thanks to Marco Jansen’s gritty 55* and Dewald Brevis’ 34. But despite entering the semi-final unbeaten and favoured by many to reach the final, the Proteas once again fell short in a high-pressure ICC knockout match.

Their bowlers, who had excelled throughout the tournament, had no answers to Allen’s relentless assault. Jansen’s heroics with the bat proved insufficient against New Zealand’s ruthlessly efficient chase.

With this victory, New Zealand sealed their place in their second Men’s T20 World Cup final, aiming to capture the trophy that has eluded them.