New Zealand stormed into the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after a breathtaking display from Finn Allen, who smashed the fastest century in the tournament’s history during the semifinal against South Africa national cricket team at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a competitive target of 170, the explosive New Zealand opener delivered a once-in-a-lifetime innings, guiding the New Zealand cricket team to a dominant nine-wicket victory with more than seven overs to spare.
Allen’s unbeaten 100 came off just 33 balls, rewriting the record books for the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history. The previous benchmark was held by Chris Gayle, who reached his century in 47 balls during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016. Allen’s assault was nothing short of extraordinary, as he dismantled South Africa’s bowling attack with fearless stroke play.
The right-hander sealed the victory in style, smashing boundaries and sixes in a breathtaking sequence before raising his bat to celebrate the historic hundred. The roaring crowd at Eden Gardens witnessed a remarkable innings that immediately lit up social media, with fans and cricket experts praising Allen’s fearless batting in a high-pressure knockout match.
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Earlier in the evening, South Africa posted 169/8 after being asked to bat first. The Proteas struggled to build consistent momentum despite a fighting unbeaten 54 from Marco Jansen, who played a crucial late innings to push the total close to the 170 mark. However, New Zealand’s bowlers kept things under control through disciplined spells from Cole McConchie and Rachin Ravindra, both of whom chipped in with key wickets during the middle overs.
Finn Allen’s outrageous #T20WorldCup knock rewrote the history books 📖
Relive the epic knock for the ages from the semi-final 📹 https://t.co/PQPdgS31CL pic.twitter.com/uFwOq555CQ
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2026
A T20 batting masterclass from Finn Allen! ⚡️
The fastest ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup century (100* off 33) and the semi-final Player of the Match 🫡#T20WorldCup #NZvSA | 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/XT2yO7tHML
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 4, 2026
The moment Finn Allen completed the fastest century in #T20WorldCup history in front of his “home crowd”#SAvNZ #semifinal #EdenGardenspic.twitter.com/rErmtkHW17
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 5, 2026
To score a hundred in a T20 WC semifinal. Take a bow, Finn Allen!
Modern-day hitting at its best. pic.twitter.com/Q619Fohi5H
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 4, 2026
I bet nobody saw this coming. This, from Finn Allen is out of this world.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 4, 2026
Serious hitting from Finn Allen 👏
Fastest century ever in a T20 World Cup and joint-fastest among full-member nations. Congratulations to New Zealand on making the final 👏 pic.twitter.com/Nx9GSbPpSw— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) March 4, 2026
Finn Allen pic.twitter.com/CBGC0wEE2t
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) September 3, 2023
I mean are South Africa even the story of the night after that innings from Finn Allen. I’d say the headlines should be all about New Zealand & probably their most destructive performance ever in a #T20WorldCup contest
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) March 4, 2026
Wow…NZ has just decimated the South African challenge.
Finn Allen chose the perfect stage to play the best knock of his life 👌☺️💪#SAvNZ #T20WorldCup— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 4, 2026
Finn Allen’s 100 is not only the fastest 100 in the history of T20 World Cup, it’s also the only 100 in the knock outs of the T20 World Cup. And this has come against the likes of Ngidi, Jansen, Rabada and Maharaj. Freak of a knock !!
— Spandan Roy (@talksports45) March 4, 2026
33 ball ton in a WC Semi, take a bow Finn Allen 🙌🏼 Doesn’t look good when you dominate group stage and completely fail to turn up in the big game. Credit to NZ though, total domination by them tonight. Well played @BLACKCAPS 👏 #SAvNZ #T20WorldCup2026
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 4, 2026
I had been surrounded by RCB fans when i told in 2021 that Finn Allen was being wasted and that he is a generational talent.
33-ball 100 in a World Cup semifinal. I hope those people are going underground now as we speak 😜🫂
What a player 💪 #T20WorldCup
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) March 4, 2026
Finn Allen in today’s match 🤣👇#SAvsNZ #NZvsSA #T20WorldCup26 pic.twitter.com/Juw8ysbiz5
— Chota Don (@choga_don) March 4, 2026
In reply, Finn Allen found strong support from wicketkeeper-opener Tim Seifert, who scored a fluent 58 as the pair dismantled South Africa’s bowling attack with a commanding opening partnership. Their aggressive start completely shifted the momentum of the semifinal and left the Proteas with little room to recover.
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By the time Finn Allen was nearing his historic hundred, the result was already beyond doubt. New Zealand’s emphatic victory secured them a place in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking another memorable chapter in the Black Caps’ impressive journey in global tournaments.
