T20 Internationals (T20Is), New Zealand opener on a night to be remembered for years Find Allen He produced a breathtaking performance to take the Black Caps to the T20 World Cup 2026 final. Playing at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, the 26-year-old smashed a sensational unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls to lead New Zealand to the lead. Commanding a nine-wicket win over South Africa. His powerful knock not only sealed New Zealand’s place in Sunday’s final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, but also set a new record for the fastest century in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Chasing a target of 170, Allen produced a shot that stunned fans and experts alike. He tore apart South Africa’s bowling attack, hitting 10 fours and eight sixes, combining fearless batting with remarkable precision. The Kiwi opener reached his half-century off just 19 balls, the fastest fifty by New Zealand in a T20 World Cup. He then accelerated further and reached his hundred in just 33 deliveries, breaking Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the fastest century in the tournament.
Even more astounding was Allen’s control during the innings. Of the 33 balls he faced, only four were dot balls, underscoring the relentless pressure he put on the South African bowlers. His strike rate of 303.03 ensured that the chase never looked really difficult. To make the moment even more special, Allen became the first player to score a century in a T20 World Cup play-off match, adding another historic milestone to his incredible night.
South Africa is recovering from an early collapse
Early in the match, South Africa struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat first by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner. Their innings got off to a disastrous start when Cole McConchie struck twice in the second over, dismissing Quinton de Kock for 10 and sending Ryan Rickelton back for a golden duck. Suddenly the Proteas were in trouble at 12 for 2.
The pressure only mounted when Rachin Ravindra dismissed captain Aiden Markram for 18 and the dangerous David Miller for just six runs. With South Africa reduced to 77 for 4, the tournament’s unbeaten team was heading for a disappointing finish.
The short fightback came from Dewald Brevis who scored a determined 34 off 27 balls. However, South Africa were reduced to 108 for 5 when James Neesham fell, leaving them in dire straits.
The turning point for the Proteas came through Marco Jansen who counter-attacked in the later stages of the innings. Partnering with Tristan Stubbs for 29 runs, Jansen helped add a crucial 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The tall all-rounder then took charge in the death overs, finishing with an unbeaten 55 off 30 including five sixes and two fours to push South Africa to a competitive 169 for 8.
Finn Allen’s blitz leaves the Proteas helpless
Despite South Africa’s late surge, New Zealand dominated the chase. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert came out with aggressive intent and completely destroyed the Proteas bowling attack. The opening pair put on 84 runs, the highest power play ever recorded in a T20 World Cup knockout match.
Seifert played an excellent supporting role, scoring 58 off 33 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Together, the duo put New Zealand firmly in control of the match as they stitched a 117-run opening partnership.
Seifert was eventually dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, but by then the contest had drifted away from South Africa. Allen continued his onslaught with fearless batting, knocking bowlers like Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen all over the ground.
In fitting fashion, Allen brought up his historic century and sealed victory with a powerful six over the middle, sending the New Zealand fans into celebration. The Blackcaps completed the chase in just 12.5 overs, off 43 balls, to record one of the most dominant semi-final victories ever seen in T20 World Cup history.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Final!
Fastest ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup century from Finn Allen (100* off 33) leads chase in Kolkata 🔥 #T20WorldCup | 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/TUfYc5k48u
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 4, 2026
If Finn Allen were Iceland, we’d tear down our statue of Leifur Eiríksson in the heart of Reykjavík and add one of him.
33 balls, 100 runs, 303 SR and SA absolutely bulldozed!
Sensational! pic.twitter.com/hPJIzxHVpu
— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) March 4, 2026
New Zealand won by 9 wickets 🔥
South Africa: 169/8 (20 Overs)
New Zealand: 173/1 (12.5 Overs)Man of the Match: Finn Allen#SAvNZ #T20WorldCup #cricket pic.twitter.com/gwqnpnYiji
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 4, 2026
WHAT. AN. INNINGS. 🙌
Finn Allen smashed the fastest hundred in just 33 deliveries in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to take New Zealand to the final! 🖤#T20WorldCup #SAvNZ pic.twitter.com/HI1THR9wBR
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2026
Find Allen 🤌
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 4, 2026
Final!
Fastest ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup century from Finn Allen (100* off 33) leads chase in Kolkata 🔥 #T20WorldCup | 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/TUfYc5k48u
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 4, 2026
Finn Allen what a time to score 💯 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 4, 2026
FINN ALLEN THIS T20 WORLD CUP 2026:
Shots – 7.
Run – 289.
Average – 57.80.
Strike rate – 203.52.
Fours – 24.
Six to 20.
The highest score is 100*.– Finn Allen, The Beast! pic.twitter.com/GOSA5NtcLF
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) March 4, 2026
Finn Allen’s 33-ball 100 knocks South Africa out of the world cup 💥🤯
And this is the fastest in toilet history 💯 !!!#NZvsSA #SAvsNZ #finnallen pic.twitter.com/2XX1aPRVcB— Sky (@SkyStorm__18) March 4, 2026
Hundreds for NZ in T20 sanitary junctions
123 – Brendon McCullum vs BAN, Pallekele, 2012
104 – Glenn Phillips vs SL, Sydney, 2022
100* – Finn Allen vs SA, Kolkata, 2026#T20WorldCup #newzealand #cricket #T20WC @cricketworldcup @ICC— Factsssssss (@factsssssssonly) March 4, 2026
T20i hundreds fasted
33 balls – Finn Allen
35 balls – Rohit Sharma and David Miller
37 balls – Abhishek SharmaFinn Allen broke a nearly 9-year-old record today 🫡🔥 pic.twitter.com/VAm0FOKGE2
— Manjit🇳🇵 (@CricManjit) March 4, 2026
Finn Allen, that’s one of the nastiest shots I’ve ever seen in a knockout match. Absolutely filthy.
—Louis Herman-Watt (@LouisHWatt) March 4, 2026
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – India vs England 2nd Semi Final Ticket Prices & Seating Details
