Finn Allen's Record Century Propels New Zealand to T20 World Cup Final

New Zealand's Historic Victory

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 4: In a remarkable display of batting, Finn Allen achieved the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, leading New Zealand to a nine-wicket victory over South Africa at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. This win secured New Zealand's place in the final of the tournament.

With this triumph, New Zealand will face either India or England, who are set to compete on Thursday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. South Africa, despite a valiant effort from Marco Jansen (55 runs off 30 balls, including two fours and five sixes) and Tristan Stubbs (29 runs off 24 balls, with two fours and a six), managed to post 169/8 after struggling at 77/5. The real highlight was the partnership between Tim Seifert (58 runs off 33 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and Allen (100* runs off 33 balls, featuring 10 fours and eight sixes), who together scored 117 runs, effectively sealing the match during the powerplay.

In their chase of 170 runs, New Zealand's openers, Seifert and Allen, got off to a strong start, with Seifert hitting two boundaries against Jansen. The third over saw Jansen concede 18 runs, including two sixes and a four.

New Zealand reached 50 runs in just 4.4 overs, thanks to a six from Seifert off Kagiso Rabada. The final over of the powerplay was explosive, with Allen smashing Bosch for four boundaries and a six, accumulating 22 runs in that over and bringing the score to 84/0.

Seifert continued his aggressive batting, reaching his fifty in 28 balls, while New Zealand crossed the 100-run mark in 7.5 overs.

Allen also achieved his second fifty of the tournament in a mere 19 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. Rabada eventually broke the 117-run partnership by bowling Seifert out for 58 runs in the 10th over, leaving New Zealand at 124/1.

The onslaught continued as Bosch was hit for a four and a six by Rachin Ravindra and Allen. Allen's relentless attack saw him take down Keshav Maharaj with another four and six, pushing New Zealand past 150 runs in just 12.1 overs.

The 13th over was particularly brutal for South Africa, with Jansen conceding four fours and two sixes to Allen, who completed his century in just 33 balls, marking a historic achievement.

Earlier, South Africa had a rocky start, managing to score 169/8 in their 20 overs. Despite losing early wickets, contributions from Jansen and Stubbs kept the innings competitive.

After opting to bat first, South Africa lost two quick wickets in the second over, with McConchie dismissing Quinton de Kock (10 runs) and Ryan Rickelton for a golden duck, leaving them at 12/2.

After the first powerplay, South Africa recovered to 52/2, thanks to some aggressive batting from Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram. However, Rachin Ravindra struck crucial blows, dismissing Markram (18 runs) and David Miller (6 runs) in quick succession, leaving South Africa at 77/4.

Despite the setbacks, Jansen and Stubbs formed a partnership that took South Africa past the 100-run mark. The 18th over provided some relief as they scored well off Neesham, reaching 150 runs in 18 overs. However, Lockie Ferguson soon dismissed Stubbs, who scored 29 runs.

Jansen's explosive unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, featuring two fours and five sixes, helped South Africa set a total of 169/8.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry (2/34), Cole McConchie (2/9), Lockie Ferguson (1/29), James Neesham (1/42), and Rachin Ravindra (2/29) were the standout bowlers.

Brief Scores: SA: 169/8 (Marco Jansen 55*, Tristan Stubbs 29, Rachin Ravindra 2/29) lost to NZ: 173/1 in 12.5 overs (Finn Allen 100*, Tim Seifert 58, Kagiso Rabada 1/28).