Finn Allen Sets New Record with Fastest Century in World Cup History

Historic Achievement by Finn Allen

In a remarkable display of batting prowess, New Zealand's Finn Allen has etched his name in cricket history by scoring the fastest century in World Cup history across both T20 and ODI formats. This record-breaking feat occurred during a match against South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on March 4.

Chasing a target of 170 runs, Kiwi openers Tim Seifert and Allen made quick work of the total, achieving it in just 12.5 overs. Seifert contributed significantly with 58 runs off 33 balls, while Allen's explosive innings of 100 not out came off just 33 deliveries, featuring 10 fours and 8 sixes. This performance surpassed the previous record held by Chris Gayle, who scored a century in 47 balls during the T20 World Cup in 2016, and Glenn Maxwell's 40-ball century in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Allen's century is not only the fastest against a Test-playing nation in T20Is but also ranks as the joint-third fastest in T20I history. The record for the fastest T20I century remains with Sahil Chauhan, who achieved a 27-ball century against Cyprus in 2024. Additionally, Allen's innings is tied for the fastest T20I century by a player from a Test-playing nation, matching Sikandar Raza's 33-ball century against Gambia in 2024.

This remarkable century also eclipsed Glenn Phillips' previous record of 46 balls for New Zealand's fastest T20I century, set against the West Indies in 2020. Furthermore, Allen's score surpassed the highest total in T20 World Cup knockout matches, previously held by Sri Lankan great Tilakaratne Dilshan, who scored 96 not out against the West Indies in 2009.

With this achievement, Allen joins the ranks of New Zealand players who have scored centuries in T20 World Cups, alongside Brendon McCullum and Glenn Phillips. His innings featured a record number of boundaries, with 10 fours and 8 sixes, matching McCullum's boundary count in his 123 against Bangladesh in 2012. The eight sixes hit by Allen are the most by a New Zealand player in a T20 World Cup match.

Allen's innings boasted an impressive strike rate of 303.03, with only four dot balls throughout. Among the 76 individual innings of 30 or more deliveries in T20 World Cup semifinals or finals, only Virat Kohli's 72 off 44 balls against South Africa in 2014 had fewer dot balls, with just three.

Notably, Allen's team completed the chase with 43 balls remaining, setting a new record for the most balls left in a successful chase of 150 or more runs in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 41 balls held by Scotland against Oman in 2024.