SA vs NZ, T20 WC semifinal: Finn Allen bulldozes Proteas with fastest ton as New Zealand book final ticket

Finn Allen surpasses everyone by a mile to enter the record books.

Fastest centuries in T20 World Cups

• Finn Allen (NZ), 33 balls
• Chris Gayle (WI), 47 balls
• Harry Brook EENG), 50 balls
• Chris Gayle (WI), 50 balls
• Brendon McCullum (NZ), 51 balls

Finn Allen brings up his century off just 33 balls to power New Zealand to the final of T20 World Cup. This was the fastest T20 World Cup century by any batter as New Zealand demolished South Africa by 9 wickets. Marco Jansen who lifted the Proteas with a 53-run knock ended up conceding the same runs in just 2.5 overs.

Finn Allen continues his demolition drive as he hits Marco Jansen for consecutive boundaries and a six after he hit Keshav Maharaj for a six and a four in the last over. New Zealand need just 7 to win.

Finn Allen is down with cramps. But New Zealand need not worry as they need just 33 rums more to enter the T20 World Cup 2026 final.

Kagiso Rabada cleans up Tim Seifert for 58 off 33 balls to give South Africa a breakthrough and some relief. New Zealand 117/1.

After Tim Seifert, Finn Allen completes his half-century off just 19 balls. This is the joint fastest fifty of this T20 World Cup. New Zealand are 117/0 in 9 overs.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen bring up a century stand in just 8 overs. Both have been dominant as the duo also complete 400 runs together this tournament.

Century stands in T20 World Cup knockouts

• 170* - Jos Buttler, Alex Hales (ENG) vs IND, Adelaide, 2022 SF
• 117 - Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (NZ) vs SA, Kolkata, 2026 SF
• 111 - Craig Kieswetter, Kevin Pietersen (ENG), Bridgetown, 2010 Final
• 105 - Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) vs NZ, Sydney, 2022 SF

Tim Seifert hits 28-ball half-century after another edge flies over the third man for a four. There is no stopping the Kiwi duo as South Africa have been blown away so far.

He should have come to the attack early on but here we are. Keshav Maharaj comes to the attack after the powerplay, conceding 7 runs.

New Zealand end the powerplay with 84/0 after Finn Allen destroys Corbin Bosch with 6, 4, 4, 4, 4 to score 22 runs off the over. Finn Allen is unbeaten on 43 off just 15 and Tim Seifert is on 41 off 21. South Africa scored just 48/2 in the powerplay.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have brought up a 50-run stand in the 5th over. This is the start they were looking for and runs have come almost easily. Where is Keshav Maharaj? South Africa should have brought him in by now. But they haven't. After five overs, New Zealand are way ahead with 62/0.

After the dropped chance, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have taken charge of the chase, with Marco Jansen conceding 18 runs in the 3rd over.

Quinton de Kock called for it but he messed up at the last moment as the ball hit the surface. Tim Seifert skied a chance from a Kagiso Rabada delivery and Dewald Brevis was ready. Poor from De Kock.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen begin New Zealand's 170-run chase for a place in the final. There is not much dew yet and that will be key to the chase. 

India recorded the highest successful run-chase at the Eden Gardens in their last Super 8 game as they chased down 196. New Zealand need to second highest successful chase at Eden Gardens to qualify for the final. Marco Jansen played a gem of a knock to keep South Africa afloat. 

Highest successful run-chase at Eden Gardens in T20Is

Team	Score	Target	Opposition	Date
India	199/5	196	West Indies	1 Mar 2026
India	162/4	158	West Indies	16 Feb 2022
West Indies	161/6	156	England	3 Apr 2016
Sri Lanka	155/4	154	Afghanistan	17 Mar 2016
England	155/5	153	Scotland	14 Feb 2026
India	133/3	133	England	22 Jan 2025
England	121/4	121	India	29 Oct 2011
India	119/4	119	Pakistan	19 Mar 2016
India	110/5	110	West Indies	4 Nov 2018

An excellent last over from Henry comes to an end as he gets two wickets. Nonetheless, Jansen scores 53 in 29 deliveries to take his side to a massive 169/8 in 20 overs.

A slower delivery by Ferguson brings a wicket with a slower delivery. Stubbs' middle stump goes flying there, but the damage has alreadt been done.

Jansen and Stubbs are coming up with something special out of the blue. Pace on the ball has made all the difference and the last two overs have fetched 37 runs.

Ferguson comes into the attack now and pace on the ball means some runs. Jansen gets under one and hits a six. Stubbs follows it with a four.

An excellent spell by Santner comes to an end. He returns with figures of 0/25 and SA would breathe a sigh of relief now. Rachin Ravindra also done now.

It looks like, dew will come into play for sure and South Africa bowlers could have a bit of trouble bowling here. Credit to Kiwis who have bowled so well.

Kiwi spinners, especially Santner is not giving anything away to the Proteas. It looks like they won't even reach 130 at this pace.

Rachin Ravindra has just been excellent on the day. Overwhelming favorites SA are sturggling to even get a partnership together. Stubbs and Jansen need boundaries now.

South Africa are five wickets down as they lose Dewald Brevis for 34. James Neesham got the wicket as Brevis tried to drive it on the off side but he gave away a catch to Mitchell Santner at the cover. That was almost a gift from Brevis.

David Miller is not second time lucky as he falls for 6. This time, Rachin Ravindra bowled a little slower and as Miller tried a big hit, he had no timing and gave away a catch to Daryl Mitchell. South Africa 77/4 after 10 overs.

Glenn Phillips can take extraordinary catches and can also drop some easy ones. This time, it is the latter. David Miller survives as a result as he tries to go over the extra cover but could only get an edge. Phillips got under the ball but ended up fumbling and missing the catch. This is the second dropped chance for New Zealand today.

South Africa have been dealt a big blow. Aiden Markram departs as the scoreboard pressure builds up. He tries to pull one against Rachin Ravindra but gives away a catch straight to Daryl Mitchell at long on for 18 off 20. South Africa 55/3.

With the powerplay over, New Zealand have introduced Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra. Both Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram have been struggling to find gaps.

End of powerplay and it's rebuilding time for the Proteas as they score 48/2. Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis have taken the cautious route. With the batting firepower available, Proteas can take four more overs.

Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis go after James Neesham in the 5th over, smashing him for a six and two fours to take 17 runs. The reovery continues.

New Zealand almost had another but Rachin Ravindra dropped a rather easy chance. Markram miscued a shot off Lockie Ferguson's delivery and it went to Ravindraat mid-wicket. But he could not hold on to it.

South Africa have been pushed back to defensive mode with Cole McConchie striking twice to remove the two left-handers. Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis are on the crease.

Cole McConchie has two in two as he has rattled the Proteas. He gets another left-hander. Ryan Rickleton departs for a golden duck as he tries to hit it over the square on the shortish delivery. But he had no luck. South Africa 12/2.

Quinton de Kock had another good start and a poor finish. He tried to attack off-spinner Cole McConchie. And the Kiwi offie pulled his length back a little and as De Kock tried to pull, he mistimed and it was an easy catch for Lockie Ferguson. South Africa 12/1 in 1.4.

ಒಂದರ ಹಿಂದೆ ಒಂದು ವಿಕೆಟ್ ಉರುಳ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದು, Proteas ಡೇಂಜರ್ ಜೋನ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಲುಕಿಕೊಂಡಿದೆ! 😬

ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿ | ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup 👉Semi-Final 1 | #SAvsNZ | LIVE NOW | ನಿಮ್ಮ Star Sports ಕನ್ನಡ & JioHotstar ನಲ್ಲಿ. pic.twitter.com/GjEoyf5vJA

— Star Sports Kannada (@StarSportsKan) March 4, 2026

Quinton de Kock was waiting for that delivery from Matt Henry and he got it. Henry bowled right where De Kock is destructive, on the leg side, little shortish. De Kock had no trouble pulling it for a six.

Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram begin for South Africa. Markram has been in good form but De Kock has ebbed and flowed this T20 World Cup.

Unlike the India vs West Indies match, the anti-dew spray has not been used today. Hence, there is already dew. As the match progresses, it will be difficult for South African spinners.

New Zealand have Matt Henry back and they are going with James Neesham and Cole McConchie.

Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

South Africa have made three changes as players resting in their last game have returned. The Proteas are going with just one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj.

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has won an all-important toss at the Eden Gardens. And as expected, he has opted to bowl first in the semifinals.

Aiden Markram and Mitchell Santner make their way to the middle for the toss. Chasing would be the way to go with the dew factor.

Matt Henry has rejoined the squad and he is all set to play. He arrived back in Kolkata yesterday after leaving for home for the birth of his child. There were a lot of speculations whether he would be able to rejoin considering the flight cancellations, but he did. He is now marking his line-up.

In ICC white-ball events, things haven't really gone well for South Africa, especially in the knockouts. They were in a winning position against India in the final but ended up losing the game. Considering all those, will the Proteas be under pressure?

"We're not trying to do anything different tomorrow. Keep hammering away at the things that we've done well and that have got us here," captain Aiden Markram said.

Both teams have begun warming up with Ish Sodhi and Cole McConchie having a bowling session on the side pitches. 

Arrivals at Eden Gardens! 🏟#TheProteas are in the house as we strap in for Semi Final 1. Let’s do this! 😎🇿🇦#Unbreakable #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/I9ygEtHjy4

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 4, 2026

Both teams have arrived at the Eden Gardens. It is expected to be a full house today and the teams receive a rousing reception. 

South Africa and New Zealand get a rousing reception at the Eden Gardens #T20WorldCup #SAvsNZ pic.twitter.com/ynYjjiXxZ8

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 4, 2026

The Eden Gardens pitch for T20 World Cup 2026 has been batting-friendly throughout the tournament, producing high-scoring games with multiple 200+ totals. In the last match, India pulled off a 196-run chase against West Indies. It's a dry surface that favours batters, offering good bounce and pace, with potential for big scores if teams capitalise in the powerplay. However, it’s not a batting heaven. Pacers will have seam movement early on with the breeze coming from the Hoogly River. Spinners may also get some grip later. However, in a chase, spinners will struggle as the dew sets in after 9 PM. 

Despite South Africa's 5-0 record against New Zealand in T20 World Cup, across other ICC events, the Kiwis have had better luck. New Zealand knocked South Africa out of the ICC World Cup 2015 semifinals and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals. Will the history repeat again?

Toss in minutes! 🔥 Eden Gardens already roaring…🚨🚨

REVENGE MODE FOR SA ??

My pick = SA wins toss & bats first! Yours? Drop it 👇 #SAvsNZ #T20WorldCup2026 #Semifinal #Wankhede #EdenGardens https://t.co/2ntHcdB8Ce pic.twitter.com/Jl0PRc4meY

— Muthuvel tweets (@Muthuvelpandiy) March 4, 2026

South Africa have a dominant record in T20Is over New Zealand. In 19 matches, the Proteas have won 12. The Kiwis have won just 7. In T20 World Cups, the record is even more skewed, with South Africa winning all five encounters. The two clashed in the group stage with South Africa winning by 7 wickets. These two teams have never faced off in a T20 World Cup knockout. So, New Zealand could pull one back.

• Matches: 19
• South Africa wins: 12
• New Zealand wins: 7
• In T20 World Cup: South Africa 5, New Zealand 0

New Zealand haven’t been flamboyant but they have not made many mistakes. The Kiwis can play spin better than most in the subcontinent and if it’s a batting heaven, they have the batters to dominate with big shots. All they need is to come together as a team and ditch the inconsistencies. 

Captain Mitchell Santner will be the key as he has excelled with economical spin, backed by Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, and others in a potent spin unit. Batters like Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Daryl Mitchell could exploit the batting-friendly Eden surface for big totals. 

However, with the dew a factor at the Eden Gardens, it could be a chasing game.

Even though South Africa will be the favourites on paper, in T20s, those things don’t matter. Aiden Markram & Co will have to start fresh. It’s a knockout game. So, the chances of correcting mistakes are less. The Proteas will depend heavily on Markram’s explosive start. Despite the inconsistencies of Quintin de Kock, he could be the one to set the tone. Backed by Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickleton, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen to finish things off, the Proteas have one of the best batting line-ups.

Their bowling has been potent, even though Kagiso Rabada has been out of form. Lungi Ngidi has been the one dominating the opponent batters. George Linde and Keshav Maharaj have done well in the spin bowling department, while Markram has been effective as well. All they need now is not choke and deliver the knockout blow.