Kamal Ghorui
New Zealand’s Finn Allen produced a power-hitting masterclass, blasting the fastest century in T20 World Cup history as he powered the Kiwis to a nine-wicket win over South Africa in Kolkata on Wednesday, securing their place in the final.Chasing 170 in the first semi-final, Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls, shattering Chris Gayle’s previous record of 47 deliveries, as New Zealand raced to victory with 7.1 overs to spare.
Allen finished in style, hitting a four, two sixes, and another four off successive balls to seal the win and celebrate his record-breaking hundred at Eden Gardens. Tim Seifert also starred with 58, sharing a 117-run opening stand with Allen in just 9.1 overs. Seifert struck seven fours and two sixes, while Allen unleashed eight sixes and 10 fours in an awe-inspiring display of controlled power.“Just tried to get in good positions and perform for the team. [The plan for the opening partnership] We wanted to start well and put them on the back foot early. Easy for me when Timmy is going like that. I can just watch and get him on strike. He batted on a flyer. Huge game for us. Timmy and I just kept ensuring we’re looking straight and going hard,” Allen, who was named Player of the Match, said after the game.“[On adapting to different pitches and being aggressive] You adapt to the wicket. Training is really important to get a feel of the wicket. We knew it would be black soil, we had that intel. Shows how important that series was before the World Cup,” he added.New Zealand, who had edged into the semi-finals on net run rate, will face either India or England in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad as they chase their first World Cup title. “[On getting to the final] You take the positives from the game and celebrate a little but you have a final to look forward to on Sunday,” Allen said.Earlier, spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie claimed two wickets each to restrict South Africa to 169-8 after New Zealand chose to field first. The 2024 runners-up, led by Aiden Markram, had been unbeaten in seven matches but were reduced to 77-5 before Marco Jansen’s unbeaten 55 restored some respectability.Seifert reached his fifty off quick bowler Lungi Ngidi, while Allen brought up his half-century off just 19 balls. Kagiso Rabada accounted for Seifert in the 10th over, but that was South Africa’s only success in the chase.Earlier in the innings, McConchie struck in the second over, removing Quinton de Kock for 10 and Ryan Rickelton on the next ball, though Dewald Brevis avoided the hat-trick. Ravindra trapped Markram for 18, caught in the deep by Daryl Mitchell, and five balls later, David Miller fell for six, also to Ravindra and Mitchell.South Africa lost half their side inside 10.2 overs when Jimmy Neesham dismissed Brevis for 34. Tristan Stubbs contributed 29 before falling to Lockie Ferguson, while Jansen smashed two fours and five sixes in his 30-ball unbeaten knock, including a six off Ferguson to reach his fifty.Fast bowler Matt Henry, who returned only on Tuesday night after going home for the birth of his child, finished with 2-34, providing timely support for the Kiwis.
