LAHORE: Finn Allen stroked the fastest T20 World Cup century ever as New Zealand stormed into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over South Africa in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Allen clobbered 10 fours and eight sixes in a 33-ball 100 as New Zealand sprinted to the 173-run target in under 13 overs. This is the second time New Zealand has qualified for the final, with their previous appearance in 2021 in Dubai against Australia. In Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, New Zealand will play the winner of India and England, who will meet in Mumbai on Thursday.

Before Allen launched his onslaught, Tim Seifert had set the tone of a one-sided run-chase when he belted seven fours and two sixes in a 33-ball 58. Together with Allen, Seifert added 117 runs in 55 balls. When Seifert departed, Allen was 58 from 22 as he added the next 42 runs from 11 balls.

Allen also dominated the unfinished 56-run second-wicket partnership with Rachin Ravindra from 22 balls. Ravindra scored 13 not out from 11 balls.

Earlier, South Africa, put into bat were rescued by Marco Jansen, who scored a 30-ball 55 not out with two fours and five sixes. Jansen had walked into the centre when South Africa were tottering 77 for five in the 11th over.

Jansen added 73 runs in 48 balls for the sixth wicket with Tristan Stubbs, who scored 29 from 24 balls with two fours and a six. Dewald Brevis was the other main run-scorer with 34 from 27 balls with three fours and two sixes.

For New Zealand, Cole McConchie picked up the scalps of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton on successive deliveries in his only over of the match in which he also conceded nine runs. Ravindra bagged two for 29, while Matt Henry claimed two for 34.

This was South Africa’s only defeat in the tournament, which dashed its hopes of reaching the second successive final.

Scores in brief

1st semi-final – New Zealand beat South Africa by nine wickets, Kolkata

SOUTH AFRICA 169-8, 20 overs (Marco Jansen 55 not out, Dewald Brevis 34, Tristan Stubbs 29; Cole McConchie 2-9, Rachin Ravindra 2-29, Matt Henry 2-34)

NEW ZEALAND 173-1, 12.5 overs (Finn Allen 100 not out, Tim Seifert 58)

Player of the match – Finn Allen (New Zealand)