Finn Allen’s Record Century Powers New Zealand Into T20 World Cup Final
KOLKATA – New Zealand stormed into the T20 World Cup final on Wednesday, dismantling South Africa by nine wickets at Eden Gardens. Opener Finn Allen orchestrated the victory with a historic 33-ball century, the fastest in the tournament’s history, as the Black Caps chased down a target of 170 in just 12.5 overs.
Match Summary
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Result | New Zealand won by 9 wickets (with 43 balls remaining) |
| Top Scorer | Finn Allen (100+ runs off 33+ balls) |
| Key Bowlers | Cole McConchie (2/9), Rachin Ravindra (2/29) |
| Record Broken | Fastest Century in T20 World Cup History (33 balls) |
Allen Rewrites Record Books
Finn Allen’s innings redefined power-hitting in Kolkata. The opener struck 10 fours and eight sixes, displaying impeccable timing against the South African pace attack. His acceleration from 76 to 100 was particularly destructive, requiring only five deliveries. Marco Jansen bore the brunt of this assault, conceding 53 runs in a 2.5-over spell that shifted momentum entirely to the chasing side.
Partnering with Tim Seifert (58 off 33 balls), Allen established a 117-run opening stand inside nine overs. Seifert matched the intensity, reaching his half-century in 33 deliveries. The duo struck a combined 13 boundaries and six sixes, capitalizing on settling dew that improved the batting conditions under lights.
Spinners Set the Tone
Earlier in the evening, New Zealand’s spin department restricted South Africa to 169 for 8. Mitchell Santner marshaled his resources effectively on a track that offered early grip.
- Cole McConchie: Delivered a miserly spell of 2/9, dismantling the top order.
- Rachin Ravindra: Claimed 2/29, applying pressure during the middle overs.
South Africa struggled early, slumping to 77/5 as Dewald Brevis (34 off 27) and Aiden Markram (18) failed to convert starts. The Proteas found late resistance through Marco Jansen (54 not out off 30) and Tristan Stubbs (29 off 24). Their 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket, highlighted by Jansen’s five sixes, pushed the team to a defendable, albeit below-par, total.
Final Implications
The victory secures New Zealand’s second appearance in a T20 World Cup final, following their 2021 campaign in the UAE. The Black Caps await the winner of the second semi-final between India and England, scheduled for Thursday in Mumbai. A victory for India would set up a rematch echoing major ICC finals of the past decade.