Finn Allen's 33‑ball ton

Finn Allen hit the fastest century in T20 World Cup history as New Zealand routed South Africa and reached the 2026 final. (icc-cricket.com) New Zealand chased 170 in 12.5 overs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, finishing 173 for 1 and winning by nine wickets with 43 balls left. Allen finished unbeaten on 100 from 33 balls, and Tim Seifert made 58 from 33. (espn.co.uk) South Africa had made 169 for 8 after New Zealand chose to field first. Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie took two wickets each in a bowling effort that kept the target below 170. (icc-cricket.com) Allen’s hundred broke the men’s T20 World Cup record of 47 balls, set by Chris Gayle against England in 2016. ESPN’s stats report said Allen’s 33-ball hundred was also the fastest in any T20 World Cup match, men’s or women’s, bettering Deandra Dottin’s 38-ball mark from 2010. (espncricinfo.com) The win sent New Zealand into their second men’s T20 World Cup final. Their only previous appearance in the title match came in 2021, according to the International Cricket Council and ESPN match coverage. (icc-cricket.com) (espn.co.uk) South Africa came into the semi-final unbeaten, which made the margin more striking. ESPNcricinfo’s match report said New Zealand’s buildup had included uncertainty over Matt Henry’s availability before the team produced a one-sided knockout win. (espncricinfo.com) Allen reached his hundred with the boundary that sealed the match. By the end, New Zealand had turned a semi-final into a sprint. (espn.co.uk)