Finn Allen made history by scoring the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, leading New Zealand to a resounding nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the semifinals and securing a spot in the final on Sunday.
Facing a target of 170 runs, New Zealand was propelled by Allen’s explosive performance, as he finished with an impressive 100 not out off just 33 balls, featuring ten fours and eight sixes. His innings surpassed Chris Gayle’s previous record of a 47-ball century set in 2016 by a remarkable 14 balls. This achievement marks Allen’s century as the joint third-fastest in men’s T20 international history.
Tim Seifert also contributed significantly, scoring 58 runs from 33 deliveries, as the pair put on a formidable opening partnership of 117 runs in just 55 balls. Allen then took control, hammering 42 runs in just 11 balls, including five consecutive boundaries off Marco Jansen, propelling New Zealand to victory with 43 balls remaining.
After the match, Allen expressed gratitude to his parents, hoping they were watching with pride. He commended his bowlers for setting the tone early in the game and acknowledged Seifert’s influential role during their partnership.
South Africa, who had been unbeaten in the tournament, including a previous victory over New Zealand in the group stage, stumbled early after losing the toss. They found themselves at a precarious 12-2 after losing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in back-to-back deliveries. Despite efforts from Marco Jansen, who scored a quickfire 55 not out, and Tristan Stubbs, who added 29 runs, South Africa’s total of 169-8 fell well short of what was needed.
New Zealand’s strong start, with 84 runs in the opening six overs—only surpassed by India’s record during the tournament—set the stage for a dominant performance. The Black Caps’ victory not only highlights their explosive batting depth but also positions them firmly in the finals with strong momentum and confidence.