Nobody saw this coming. Finn Allen walked out to bat needing 170 runs to win a T20 World Cup semi-final. He was done in 33 balls — and so was South Africa.
.jfif "Finn Allen 100* — Fastest Century in T20 World Cup History | NZ vs SA Semi-Final 2026")
March 4, 2026. Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Semi-Final 1. ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
New Zealand beat South Africa by 9 wickets with 43 balls to spare — ending the Proteas' unbeaten run of seven consecutive matches, smashing records that had stood for a decade, and booking their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 Final in Ahmedabad.
Finn Allen scored 100 not out off just 33 balls — the fastest century in the history of Men's T20 World Cup cricket, obliterating Chris Gayle's 47-ball record from 2016. Tim Seifert contributed 58 off 33 balls at the other end. Their opening stand of 117 was built at a rate that made chasing 170 feel like a training session.
South Africa — the tournament's dominant force, unbeaten in seven matches, odds-on favourites — were blown away in 12.5 overs. It was stunning. It was historic. And it was utterly, completely one-sided.
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