T20 World Cup: Allen century powers New Zealand into T20 World Cup final

BBC World

March 4, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Finn Allen’s remarkable century powered New Zealand to a dominant nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final. Allen smashed the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, an incredible 100 runs off just 33 balls, including 10 fours and eight sixes. His explosive performance not only broke Chris Gayle’s record but also showcased his ability to take charge under pressure. New Zealand’s opening pair, Allen and Tim Seifert, laid the foundation with a partnership of 117 runs in just 55 balls, setting the tone for their ruthless chase. South Africa, despite an initial half-century by Marco Jansen, struggled to recover from losing key players early in their innings. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton fell cheaply, and despite contributions from Aiden Markram and David Miller, they couldn’t capitalize on dropped catches or build momentum. Jansen’s late surge took them to 169-8, but New Zealand’s aggressive play in the first six overs had already put them well ahead. Allen’s relentless hitting in the final over of the powerplay left South Africa needing an improbable 86 runs from 14 overs—a target they could never achieve. This victory is a significant milestone for New Zealand, as they aim to win their second T20 World Cup title. Allen’s performance has drawn comparisons to his earlier knocks and highlighted his growing reputation as one of the game’s most destructive hitters. South Africa, despite their dominance in earlier stages, fell short due to poor batting and New Zealand’s clinical execution. This match underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and the importance of pressure play in high-stakes matches. For fans of both teams, this result adds intrigue to the tournament. New Zealand’s ability to deliver under pressure has made them strong contenders for the title, while South Africa’s exit ends their quest for a maiden World Cup win. Allen’s century will be remembered as one of the standout performances of the tournament and a testament to his skill and composure in crucial moments. The T20 World Cup continues to captivate global

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Originally published on BBC World on 3/4/2026