New Zealand Crushes South Africa in T20 World Cup Semi-Final
In a spectacular display of power-hitting, New Zealand secured a resounding nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens on Wednesday. The match was highlighted by a breathtaking century from Finn Allen, which propelled the Kiwis to chase down a target of 170 with remarkable ease, losing only one wicket and finishing the game with 43 balls to spare.
Allen's Unstoppable Batting Masterclass
The foundation of New Zealand's emphatic win was laid by a monumental 117-run opening partnership between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, achieved in just nine overs. Seifert set the tone with an explosive innings, scoring 58 runs off 33 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. However, it was Allen who stole the show with a relentless assault on the South African bowlers.
Allen brought up his third T20 International century in style, remaining unbeaten on a remarkable 100 off just 33 deliveries. His innings was peppered with 10 fours and eight towering sixes, showcasing his dominance. He sealed the contest by driving Marco Jansen for a boundary on the penultimate delivery of the 13th over, later sharing an unbroken 56-run stand with Rachin Ravindra, who contributed 13 not out, to complete the one-sided chase.
South Africa's Struggles with the Bat
Earlier in the match, South Africa posted a competitive total of 169/8 in their 20 overs after being put in to bat. Their innings got off to a shaky start, with Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton dismissed in the second over, leaving the team struggling at 12/2. Captain Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis attempted to steady the innings with a cautious partnership, but regular breakthroughs kept the Proteas under pressure.
Rachin Ravindra struck twice in quick succession to remove Markram and David Miller, while James Neesham dismissed the well-set Brevis for 34, reducing South Africa to 77/5. A spirited 73-run partnership between Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs revived hopes, with Stubbs contributing 29 and Jansen top-scoring with an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls. For New Zealand, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, and Ravindra claimed two wickets each, with Neesham and Lockie Ferguson chipping in with one apiece.
Confidence Boost for New Zealand Ahead of Final
With this dominant performance, New Zealand stormed into the final brimming with confidence and momentum. The team's comprehensive victory underscores their strength in the tournament and sets up an exciting climax. Kagiso Rabada was the lone wicket-taker for South Africa, highlighting the Kiwis' batting prowess.
Scores in Brief: New Zealand 170/1 in 12.5 overs (Finn Allen 100*, Tim Seifert 58) beat South Africa 169/8 in 20 overs (Marco Jansen 55*, Dewald Brevis 34; R Ravindra 2-29, Matt Henry 2-34) by 9 wickets.
