KOLKATA : Finn Allen smashed the fastest century in men’s T20 World Cup history as New Zealand thrashed South Africa by nine wickets on Wednesday to reach the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
New Zealand, who had not beaten South Africa in previous editions of the tournament, produced a dominant display to chase down 170 in just 12.5 overs after restricting their opponents to 169/8 in the semi-final.
Allen blasted 100 off 33 balls in a breathtaking innings that dismantled the South African attack and propelled the Black Caps to 173/1. His century set a new benchmark for the fastest hundred in the men’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing 170, New Zealand raced to 84 without loss in the powerplay — the second-highest six-over total of the tournament. Allen and Tim Seifert struck nine fours and five sixes between them in the opening burst to seize control.
Allen took 22 runs off the sixth over from Corbin Bosch, hammering a six and four boundaries in succession. Seifert brought up his half-century in 28 balls, while Allen reached his 50 in just 19 deliveries, the joint-fastest of the tournament.
Kagiso Rabada eventually broke the opening stand, bowling Seifert for 58 off 33 balls, but the damage had already been done.
Earlier, New Zealand’s decision to field paid immediate dividends. Off-spinner Cole McConchie struck in his first over to dismiss Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton off successive deliveries, reducing South Africa to 12/2.
Captain Aiden Markram added 43 runs with Dewald Brevis before falling to a diving catch by Daryl Mitchell off Rachin Ravindra. Brevis made 34 but chipped James Neesham to cover as South Africa slumped to 77/5.
Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen revived the innings with a 73-run stand off 48 balls, taking 22 runs off Neesham in the 18th over.
Jansen struck five sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, bringing up his half-century with consecutive sixes off Lockie Ferguson.
McConchie (2/9) and Ravindra (2/29) made the early breakthroughs, while Matt Henry claimed two wickets and Ferguson and Neesham took one apiece as New Zealand kept South Africa largely in check.
Allen’s explosive knock ensured there would be no late twist, as New Zealand stormed into the final with one of the most emphatic victories of the tournament.
