New Zealand crushed South Africa by nine wickets in Kolkata on Wednesday to advance to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, ending the Proteas’ perfect tournament record in devastating fashion.
Finn Allen’s extraordinary unbeaten century off just 33 balls – the fastest in Men’s T20 World Cup history – powered the Black Caps to 173/1 in only 12.5 overs, chasing down South Africa’s 169/8 with ease at Eden Gardens.
Allen smashed 10 fours and eight sixes in a blistering knock that shattered Chris Gayle’s previous record of 100 off 47 balls against India in 2016. His first 50 runs came off 19 deliveries, before he accelerated further to complete his second half-century in just 14 balls.
The comprehensive defeat ended South Africa’s status as the tournament’s only unbeaten team and dashed their hopes of a first T20 World Cup title. New Zealand will contest their second T20 World Cup final on Sunday, having last appeared in the 2021 summit clash.
After winning the toss and choosing to field, New Zealand’s bold decision to deploy off-spinner Cole McConchie in the second over paid immediate dividends. He dismissed left-handers Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton off successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 12/2.
Captain Aiden Markram could not rescue the innings, falling for a modest score after a 43-run partnership with Dewald Brevis. Brevis contributed 34 before chipping the ball to cover off James Neesham’s bowling.
At 77/5, South Africa appeared destined for a below-par total before Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen mounted a recovery with a crucial 73-run partnership off 48 balls. Jansen smashed five sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 55 off 30 deliveries, including back-to-back sixes off Lockie Ferguson to reach his half-century.
McConchie finished with figures of 2/9, while Rachin Ravindra claimed 2/29. Matt Henry took two wickets, with Ferguson and Neesham adding one each.
New Zealand’s chase began explosively, with Tim Seifert and Allen plundering 84 runs without loss in the powerplay – the second-highest powerplay score of the tournament. Allen alone hammered six and four fours off Corbin Bosch in the sixth over, adding 22 runs.
Kagiso Rabada eventually dismissed Seifert for 58 off 33 balls, but with Allen in complete control, the result was never in doubt. The opener finished the match in style, striking three fours and two sixes off the final five balls to seal New Zealand’s dominant victory.
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