By Admin 
SA vs NZ Semifinal: In the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, New Zealand showed a game which will be remembered for a long time. In the match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the Kiwi team created history by achieving the target of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs. The hero of this victory was Finn Allen, who scored the fastest century in T20 World Cup history by scoring a century in 33 balls.
The match almost ended in the power play.
New Zealand’s start to chase the target was very aggressive. Allen and Tim Seifert added 117 runs for the first wicket. The team’s score was 84/0 in just six overs, which has become the biggest powerplay score in T20 World Cup history. Seifert completed his half-century in 28 balls, but Allen went ahead of him. He completed his fifty in just 19 balls.
Even after Seifert was out, Allen’s attack continued. He scored 24 runs in the last five balls of his innings and completed his century in 33 balls. His innings included 10 fours and 8 sixes.
Marco Yanson’s efforts in vain
Earlier, South Africa had scored 169/8 in 20 overs. At one time the team was struggling at 77/5, but Marco Jansson scored unbeaten 55 runs in 30 balls to take the team to a respectable score. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had won the toss and decided to bowl first, which proved to be completely correct.
Entry into the final for the first time after 2022
With this resounding victory, New Zealand has made it to the final of the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2022. Now they will face either India or England in the final. Everyone’s eyes are also on whether the Kiwi team will be able to maintain this aggressive style in the title match also.