Kolkata, 05 March (Sports Desk)
New Zealand defeated South Africa by 9 wickets in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 4, 2026. This dominant victory propelled New Zealand into the final (their second in Men’s T20 World Cup history, after 2021), while ending South Africa’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
Match Summary
- South Africa innings: 169/8 in 20 overs South Africa elected to bat first (after New Zealand won the toss and chose to field). They started poorly, slipping to 77/5, but a late cameo from Marco Jansen (55* off 30 balls) helped them reach a competitive total on a slower pitch. Other contributors included Dewald Brevis (34). New Zealand’s bowlers were effective: Rachin Ravindra took 2/29, Cole McConchie 2/9, and Matt Henry also chipped in.
- New Zealand innings: 173/1 in 12.5 overs (target 170) The chase was utterly one-sided, completed with 43 balls to spare. Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert demolished the South African attack with a blistering 117-run opening stand. Seifert scored a quick 58 off 33 balls before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. Allen remained unbeaten, single-handedly turning the game into a rout.
Player of the Match: Finn Allen (for his explosive 100* off 33 balls).
Finn Allen’s Historic Knock
Finn Allen delivered one of the most destructive innings in T20 World Cup history:
- 100 off 33 balls* (10 fours and 8 sixes)
- This became the fastest century in Men’s T20 World Cup history, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous record of 47 balls (from 2016).
- His power-hitting was relentless—he smashed boundaries at will, including five in a row on two occasions, and finished the chase by plundering 24 runs off the first five balls of Marco Jansen’s over (4-4-6-6-4).
- The innings showcased perfect timing, front-foot dominance, and clean striking, making a mockery of South Africa’s vaunted pace attack (including Rabada, Jansen, and others).
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Allen described it as one of the best innings of his life in post-match comments, while praising his opening partner Seifert and the bowlers for setting up the win.
Key Highlights
- New Zealand’s total dominance: They restricted South Africa effectively and then chased aggressively without pressure.
- This was a revenge of sorts—South Africa had beaten New Zealand earlier in the tournament.
- New Zealand now await the winner of the second semi-final (India vs England) in the final on Sunday.
A truly memorable semi-final, with Finn Allen’s carnage stealing the show
