Finn Allen produced the most explosive innings in T20 World Cup history, smashing an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls to power New Zealand into the final with a stunning nine-wicket demolition of previously unbeaten South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, chasing down 170 in a mere 12.5 overs with 43 balls remaining.
Records Broken by Finn Allen and New Zealand
Take a look at the records broken in this match.
Finn Allen’s Individual Records
- Fastest T20 World Cup century: 100 off 33 balls (previous: Chris Gayle 47 balls vs England, 2016)
- Fastest century vs full-member nation in T20Is: 33 balls
- Joint third-fastest century in all T20Is: 33 balls
- Highest individual score in T20 WC knockouts: 100* (previous: Tillakaratne Dilshan 96* vs West Indies, 2009 SF)
- Most sixes by a New Zealand batter in T20 WC innings: 8 sixes
- Most sixes in any T20 WC knockout match: 8 sixes
- Fourth-fewest dots in T20 WC semis/finals (min 30 balls): 4 dots (only Virat Kohli’s 3 dots vs SA in 2014 SF had fewer)
New Zealand Team Records
- Most balls remaining in successful 150+ chase in T20 WC history: 43 balls (previous: Scotland 41 balls vs Oman, 2024)
- Highest powerplay score in T20 WC knockout history: 84/0
- Joint second-best win margin in T20 WC knockout: 9 wickets (equals South Africa vs Afghanistan 2024 SF; only England’s 10-wicket win vs India in 2022 SF was better)
- Fastest chase of 170+ in T20 World Cup: 12.5 overs
Other Notable Statistics
- Opening partnership: 117 runs (Seifert 58 off 33, Allen 100* off 33)
- South Africa’s winning streak ended: 7 consecutive T20 World Cup wins
- Allen’s strike rate: 303.03
- New Zealand’s powerplay run rate: 14.0
Allen Shatters Multiple T20 World Cup Records
Allen’s breathtaking century obliterated Chris Gayle’s previous T20 World Cup record of 47 balls set against England in Mumbai in 2016.
The 27-year-old opener’s innings featured just four dot balls and eight massive sixes, the most by any New Zealand batter in a T20 World Cup innings and the most by anyone in a T20 World Cup knockout match.
The knock ranks as the joint third-fastest century in all T20 International cricket and the fastest against a full-member nation in T20Is.
Allen’s innings also becomes the highest individual score in T20 World Cup knockout history, surpassing Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 96* against West Indies in the 2009 semifinal.
Record-Breaking Opening Stand Destroys Proteas
Tim Seifert and Allen plundered a blistering 117-run opening partnership, with Seifert contributing a rapid 58 off 33 balls before Kagiso Rabada provided South Africa’s only breakthrough.
Their powerplay score of 84/0 set a new record for the highest powerplay total in T20 World Cup knockout history.
New Zealand’s chase of 170 with 43 balls remaining marks the most balls left in any successful 150-plus chase in T20 World Cup history, eclipsing Scotland’s 41-ball margin against Oman in 2024.
The nine-wicket victory margin equals the joint second-best in T20 World Cup knockouts, only behind England’s 10-wicket win against India in the 2022 semifinal.
South Africa’s Unbeaten Run Ends Dramatically
South Africa’s seven-match winning streak ended spectacularly after they posted 169/8, with Marco Jansen’s unbeaten 55 off 30 balls providing resistance.
Cole McConchie’s double-strike in his first over and Rachin Ravindra’s 2/29 restricted the Proteas before Allen’s carnage rendered their total meaningless.
New Zealand advance to face India or England in Sunday’s final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, their confidence sky-high after one of the most dominant knockout performances in T20 World Cup history.
