KOLKATA — New Zealand secured a place in the T20 World Cup 2026 final after defeating South Africa by nine wickets in a dominant semi-final performance at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, powered by a blistering unbeaten century from Finn Allen.
Chasing a target of 170, New Zealand completed the pursuit with 43 balls remaining as Allen’s explosive innings and Tim Seifert’s rapid half-century dismantled South Africa’s bowling attack and effectively settled the match inside the first 10 overs.
Allen powers commanding chase
Allen produced one of the most destructive knocks of the tournament, scoring an unbeaten 100 from just 33 balls. His innings featured 10 fours and eight sixes and earned him the Player of the Match award.
The opener set the tone early alongside Seifert, with the pair putting together a 117-run opening partnership in just nine overs. The aggressive stand removed any pressure from the chase and left South Africa struggling to regain control.
Seifert contributed 58 from 33 deliveries, striking seven fours and two sixes before Kagiso Rabada broke the partnership. By that stage, however, the outcome had largely been decided.
Allen continued to dominate after Seifert’s dismissal, bringing up his third T20 International century before sealing victory by driving Marco Jansen for four on the penultimate ball of the 13th over.
Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten on 13 from 11 balls as he shared an unbroken 56-run partnership with Allen to finish the chase.
Rabada was the only South African bowler to take a wicket during the innings.
South Africa recover after early setbacks
Earlier, South Africa posted 169 for eight after being asked to bat first but struggled to build early momentum.
Quinton de Kock was dismissed for 10 and Ryan Rickelton fell for a duck in the second over, leaving the Proteas at 12 for two. Captain Aiden Markram attempted to steady the innings with Dewald Brevis, adding 43 runs for the third wicket.
Markram made 18 from 20 balls before being dismissed by Ravindra in the eighth over. Ravindra struck again soon after, removing David Miller for six and deepening South Africa’s difficulties.
James Neesham then dismissed Brevis for 34 from 27 deliveries, leaving South Africa at 77 for five.
Late partnership lifts total
A late counterattack from Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs helped South Africa recover. The pair added 73 runs for the sixth wicket from 46 balls, providing the innings with much-needed momentum.
Stubbs scored 29 from 24 deliveries before Lockie Ferguson dismissed him at the start of the penultimate over.
Jansen remained unbeaten on 55 from 30 balls, hitting five sixes and two fours, but South Africa’s late surge was not enough to challenge New Zealand’s aggressive chase.
For New Zealand, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra each claimed two wickets, while Neesham and Ferguson took one apiece.
With the victory, New Zealand advanced to the final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final.
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