New Zealand annihilate South Africa to reach T20 World Cup final

New Zealand annihilate South Africa to reach T20 World Cup final

Finn Allen hits fastest century at a T20 World Cup as New Zealand crush South Africa by nine wickets to reach final.

Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand celebrate victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 semifinal against South Africa [Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images]

 New ⁠Zealand stormed into the Twenty20 World Cup final ⁠with a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa in ⁠the first semifinal at the Eden Gardens.

 Put into bat, South Africa recovered ‌from a precarious 77-5 to post a competitive 169-8 after Marco Jansen led their recovery with a belligerent 55 not ⁠out.

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 4 of 4Will the US-Israeli attacks on Iran affect the World Cup? end of the list Finn Allen smashed an ⁠unbeaten 100 off 33 balls, however, and shared a 117-run ⁠opening stand with Tim Seifert (58) as ⁠New Zealand romped ⁠to their target in only 12.5 overs.

 The fastest century at a T20 cricket World Cup was scored by Allen. “We wanted to start well and put them on the back foot early,” Allen said.  When Tim [Seifert] behaves in that manner, I find it simple. We got off to a great start thanks to his bat. “It is easy in semifinals to stay up for the fight, and with Tim [Seifert] we keep each other in it, and we enjoy it out there together.”

 Earlier, Jansen’s fifty came in response to the Kiwis’ spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie taking two wickets each before Tristan Stubbs and Jansen put on 73 to rescue the innings at Kolkata, India’s Eden Gardens.

 Jansen, who bowled 30 balls and hit two fours and five sixes, and Stubbs, who is 29 years old, contributed to New Zealand's goal of 170 to advance to the final. India successfully chased 196 against the West Indies on Sunday on the same ground.

 South Africa was the tournament's only undefeated team, while New Zealand had a net run rate advantage to advance to the semifinals. McConchie struck first in the second over with his off-spin to send back Quinton de Kock for 10 and Ryan Rickelton next ball, but Dewald Brevis avoided the hat-trick.

 Aiden Markram was reprieved on three when Ravindra dropped him at mid-wicket off pace bowler Lockie Ferguson.

 Left-arm spinner Ravindra made amends when he had the South Africa captain caught in the deep by Daryl Mitchell for 18.

 Glenn Phillips dropped David Miller on three, but five balls later, Ravindra took the catch at long-on and Mitchell fell for six. South Africa had lost half their side in 10.2 overs when Jimmy Neesham cut short Brevis’s knock on 34.

 Stubbs was bowled by Ferguson, but Jansen hit him for six for his fifty. Pace bowler Matt Henry, who arrived back only on Tuesday night after going home for the birth of his child, took 2-34.

 Because Allen was the figure to focus on and the moment to remember, South Africa's bowling stats will be quickly forgotten. Allen advised, "You take the positives from this game, and celebrate little moments of success." "Then we have a final on Sunday, which we are looking forward to." India, the defending champions, will face England, the two-time champions, in the second semifinal on Thursday in Mumbai, the day before the final on Sunday.