Finn Allen Stuns South Africa, Creates World Record in T20 WC Semi-Final

New Zealand made an absolute mockery of South Africa's bowling as they chased down the target of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs. The destructive batting display from the Kiwis came during the SA vs NZ T20 World Cup semifinal at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Batting first, the Proteas put up a total of 169 runs on the back of Marco Jansen's magnificent half-century. But what came next wasn't expected by anyone. The star of this chase was NZ opener Finn Allen who played an unbeaten knock of 100 runs and also created a world record during the knock.

Finn Allen Smashes Fastest T20 World Cup Hundred

New Zealand star opener Finn Allen picked up the perfect platform to deliver the best-ever knock in his entire career so far. The right-handed batter smashed a 33-ball century, which blew South Africa away. While this knock is the fastest in the T20 World Cup history, it is the fifth fastest century in T20 cricket.

Finn Allen fastest century record has put New Zealand straight into the T20 World Cup 2026 final. Allen's knock featured 10 fours and 8 sixes, and a strike rate of 303.03. This knock proves why he is seen as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world.

Allen is now the only third batter to smash a century in the ICC T20 World Cup, along with McCullum and Glenn Phillips. Not just that, Allen is now the batter with the highest score in a T20 World Cup knock-out match.

Finn Allen Fastest Hundred Helps Him Break Multiple Records

For the unversed, New Zealand had never beaten South Africa in the T20 World Cup history before today. They faced each other five times, and the Proteas emerged victorious in all five matches. However, the Kiwis took the best moment to end the drought, but it would not have been possible without the brutal assault by Allen.

The right-handed batter credited New Zealand's recent tour of India, which helped him to understand the conditions of the sub-continental surfaces. Allen's knock in the SA vs NZ T20 World Cup match featured only four dot balls. He is also now the batter with the most sixes in the ongoing tournament, going past West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer.

With 10 fours and 8 sixes, he now has the joint-highest boundary count in a T20 WC innings, alongside the former NZ captain Brendon McCullum (11 fours, 7 sixes) vs Bangladesh in Pallekele in 2012. With this win, NZ have qualified for the final and will wait for the winner of the 2nd semi-final between India and New Zealand on March 5 in Mumbai.