Finn Allen smashes fastest T20 World Cup century as New Zealand demolish South Africa in semi-final
Finn Allen put on one of the most savage batting displays in World Cup history on Tuesday night, hammering an unbeaten 100 off 33 deliveries as New Zealand tore through South Africa's bowling attack to win the first semi-final by nine wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
South Africa scrape to 169
South Africa won the toss and batted first but lost early wickets in a shaky start. Quinton de Kock fell for 10 off 8 balls to Cole McConchie, and Ryan Rickelton followed next ball for a duck, leaving the Proteas 22 for 2 inside three overs. Captain Aiden Markram made 18 before Rachin Ravindra had him caught by Daryl Mitchell.
Dewald Brevis steadied the innings with 34 off 27, but South Africa were still in trouble at 77 for 5 after David Miller departed for 6. Tristan Stubbs chipped in with 29 off 24, but the real rescue act came from Marco Jansen, who clubbed an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls with two fours and five sixes to haul South Africa to 169 for 8.
Allen and Seifert rip the chase apart
What followed was complete carnage. Allen and Tim Seifert put on 117 for the first wicket in just 9.1 overs, with both batters attacking from ball one. Seifert scored 58 off 33, smashing seven fours and two sixes before Kagiso Rabada bowled him. By then, the damage was done.
Allen kept going. He brought up his fifty in 19 balls, then raced to three figures in another 14, finishing on 100 not out with 10 fours and 8 sixes. His strike rate of 303 left Eden Gardens stunned. Rachin Ravindra (13 not out) saw things home as New Zealand reached 173 for 1 in 12.5 overs.
Fastest T20 World Cup century
Allen's 33-ball hundred is the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, smashing Chris Gayle's 47-ball effort against England in the 2016 edition. The 25-year-old was named Player of the Match and barely broke a sweat in what turned into a complete mismatch.
Mitchell Santner's side shared the bowling around well too. McConchie, Ravindra, and Matt Henry took two wickets each, while Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham grabbed one apiece. Santner himself went for just 25 runs in four overs without taking a wicket.
New Zealand await the winner of India vs England
New Zealand now wait for the winner of Thursday's second semi-final between India and England at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The final is set for March 8 in Kolkata. For South Africa, it is another semi-final exit in a global tournament after their heartbreaking loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados.
