New Zealand produced one of the greatest T20 World Cup performances to demolish South Africa and book their place in the final at Ahmedabad. Finn Allen smashed the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, reaching 100 off just 33 balls.
South Africa posted 169/8 after Cole McConchie dismissed both openers in his first over. Rachin Ravindra claimed 2/29, including the crucial wickets of Markram and Miller. Marco Jansen fought back brilliantly with 55 off 30 balls.
He partnered with Tristan Stubbs in a 73-run sixth-wicket stand. New Zealand’s chase was breathtaking. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen plundered 117 runs for the opening wicket. Seifert struck 58 off 33 balls before falling. Allen continued his rampage, smashing six sixes in the final overs.
He finished unbeaten on 100 off 33 balls with multiple records shattered. New Zealand chased down 170 in just 12.5 overs, winning by nine wickets with seven overs remaining. The Proteas’ unbeaten run ended in spectacular fashion.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup, 1st Semi-Final |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Result | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| South Africa | 169/8 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand | 173/1 (12.5 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Finn Allen (100* off 33 balls) |
| Toss | New Zealand won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. Cole McConchie opened the bowling with off-spin and struck twice in his first over. He dismissed Quinton de Kock caught at mid-on and Ryan Rickelton caught at backward point. South Africa slumped to 16/2 early.
Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis steadied the innings. Markram was dropped on 3 by Rachin Ravindra at midwicket. Rachin Ravindra introduced himself and struck immediately. He dismissed Markram caught at long-on for 18. David Miller struggled against spin and fell for 6. Ravindra claimed his second wicket. Dewald Brevis battled to 34 off 27 balls before James Neesham dismissed him caught at cover.
South Africa collapsed to 80/5. Marco Jansen joined Tristan Stubbs for a crucial partnership. The pair added 73 runs for the sixth wicket, the highest for South Africa for sixth wicket or lower in T20Is. Jansen reached his fifty off 28 balls.
Lockie Ferguson broke the stand, bowling Stubbs for 29. Jansen continued attacking, finishing unbeaten on 55 off 30 balls. Matt Henry claimed two wickets in the final over. South Africa finished on 169/8. McConchie took 2/9 while Ravindra claimed 2/29.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Marco Jansen | 55 runs (30 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Cole McConchie | 1-0-9-2 |
Second Innings Highlights
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen opened aggressively from the first ball. Seifert was dropped early on 11 by the keeper. Both openers attacked relentlessly. They plundered 48 runs in the powerplay without loss. South Africa persisted with pace but were smashed everywhere. Corbin Bosch conceded 22 runs in his first over.
The opening pair brought up their century partnership. Seifert reached his fifty off 26 balls while Allen raced to his off just 19 balls. Kagiso Rabada finally broke the 117-run opening stand, bowling Seifert for 58. Rachin Ravindra joined Allen with the target nearly achieved. Allen continued his carnage, smashing sixes at will.
He reached his century off just 33 balls, the fastest in T20 World Cup history. The previous record was 47 balls by Chris Gayle. Allen finished with 100 off 33 balls, including multiple sixes. Marco Jansen’s final over went for 24 runs as Allen sealed victory with a boundary. New Zealand completed the chase in 12.5 overs, winning by nine wickets.
Their powerplay score of 84/0 was the highest in T20 World Cup knockout history. South Africa’s unbeaten run ended dramatically.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Finn Allen | 100* runs (33 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Kagiso Rabada | 3-0-28-1 |
