Home
New Zealand opener Finn Allen has created history during the South Africa vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal at Eden Gardens in Kolkata as the batter smashed the fastest century in the history of World Cups.
Finn Allen's record
The New Zealand opener reached his hundred-run mark in just 33 balls. With this incredible effort, Allen now holds the record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history. His 33-ball hundred is also the fastest ever scored against a full-member team in T20 Internationals. Overall, it is the joint third-fastest century in all T20Is.
Among batters from full-member nations, Allen now shares the record for the fastest T20I hundred with Sikandar Raza, who had achieved the same milestone against Gambia in Nairobi in 2024.
ALSO READ: IND vs ENG: Adil Rashid eyes historic milestone in India vs England T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal
Here’s a look at the fastest hundreds in T20I history (by balls faced):
27 balls – Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) vs Cyprus, Episkopi, 2024
29 balls – Muhammad Fahad (Turkey) vs Bulgaria, Sofia, 2025
33 balls – Finn Allen (New Zealand) vs South Africa, Kolkata, 2026
33 balls – Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) vs Nepal, Kirtipur, 2024
33 balls – Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024.
South Africa vs New Zealand match report
Coming back to the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal, Allen, who came to open the innings, struck a stunning unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls to lead New Zealand into the T20 World Cup final, defeating South Africa by nine wickets.
Allen smashed 10 fours and eight sixes in his innings, while another opener, Tim Seifert, made 58 as New Zealand toyed with South Africa bowlers to chase down the 170-run target with 43 balls to spare. Kagiso Rabada (1/28) was the only wicket-taker for South Africa.
After being asked to bat, Marco Jansen struck a stunning 55 not out in to help South Africa reach 169 for 8 after being asked to bat.
Jansen struck two fours and five sixes in his 30-ball unbeaten knock to resurrect South Africa's innings after they were reduced to 77 from 5 in the 11th over.
ADVERTISEMENT
