Finn Allen tonked a record-breaking century to help New Zealand annihilate South Africa by nine wickets and seal T20 World Cup 2026 final berth. Batting first South Africa rode on Marco Jansen's 30-ball 55 to post 169/8. In reply, Finn Allen hammered the fastest ton in the history of T20 World Cup to wrap up the chase in just 12.5 overs. With 33-ball century Allen surpassed Chris Gayle's 45-ball ton which was scripted in 2016.
Finn Allen catapult New Zealand to T20 World Cup final
This is for the second time New Zealand have made it to the T20 World Cup final.
Although the Proteas were reeling at 77-5 early in the first semi-final, they managed to post a respectable 169-8 thanks to a spirited recovery led by Marco Jansen. The all-rounder struck a defiant, unbeaten 55 to give his side a fighting chance.
However, any hope of a South African defense was quickly extinguished by a historic onslaught from Finn Allen. The opener bludgeoned an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls, reaching the milestone with a boundary to seal the win. In the process, Allen set a new record for the fastest century in T20 World Cup history and the fastest ever recorded in a T20 International between two full-member nations.
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The chase was a clinical masterclass in power-hitting, as Allen teamed up with Tim Seifert for a blistering 117-run opening stand. Seifert played an aggressive supporting role with 58 runs, helping the Black Caps reach their target in a mere 12.5 overs. Allen’s innings, which featured eight towering sixes and ten fours, effectively dismantled a South African bowling attack that had been the most consistent in the tournament.
The result was a stunning reversal of form for both sides. South Africa entered the semi-final on a seven-match winning streak, including a comfortable victory over New Zealand earlier in the group stage. Despite their unbeaten run leading up to the knockouts, the Proteas were unable to withstand Allen’s record-breaking performance, leaving New Zealand to await the winner of the India-England clash in the final.
Marco Jansen's fifty goes in vain
Earlier, South Africa recovered from a disastrous start to post a competitive total of 169-8 in the first semi-final against New Zealand at Eden Gardens. Reeling at 77-5 after just 10.2 overs, the Proteas were rescued by a record-breaking sixth-wicket partnership between Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs. Jansen played a blistering, unbeaten knock of 55 from 30 balls, laced with five sixes, while Stubbs contributed a vital 29 to set the Black Caps a target of 170.
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The early collapse was triggered by New Zealand's spinners, with Cole McConchie striking twice in his opening over to remove Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in consecutive deliveries. Rachin Ravindra also proved effective, overcoming an early dropped catch to dismiss both captain Aiden Markram and the dangerous David Miller. When Jimmy Neesham removed Dewald Brevis for 34, the South African innings appeared to be in freefall before the lower-order recovery began.
The New Zealand bowling effort was bolstered by the return of Matt Henry, who took 2-34 after flying back to the squad just hours before the match following the birth of his child. Despite his and the spinners' best efforts, Jansen’s late-innings fireworks, which included a fifty-sealing six off Lockie Ferguson, shifted the momentum back toward the tournament’s only remaining undefeated side. However, in the end it was Kiwi who had the last laugh and made it to the title clash.