SA vs NZ HIGHLIGHTS T20 WC SF 1: Allen's fiery ton takes Kiwis to final with 9-wicket win vs SA
With both teams still chasing their maiden T20 World Cup title, a place in the final, and a shot at history, is on the line.
 "New Zealand opener Finn Allen scores fastest T20 WC ton vs SA")
New Zealand opener Finn Allen scores fastest T20 WC ton vs SA
New Zealand produced a stunning batting display to crush South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Kolkata. From the outset, the Kiwi openers, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, took the game to the Proteas, capitalizing on every short and loose delivery.
Seifert got off to a flying start, hitting a series of boundaries, including a massive six off Marco Jansen, while Allen combined timing and power to punish the South African attack. By the end of the powerplay, New Zealand were 91 without loss, marking their highest T20 WC knockout powerplay score and surpassing England’s 67/0 in 2016.
The opening pair maintained their momentum, with Seifert reaching a sparkling 58 off 33 balls before falling to Kagiso Rabada, bowled around his legs. Allen, showing remarkable composure and power, accelerated further alongside Rachin Ravindra, who also contributed valuable quickfire runs. Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj were taken to the cleaners, conceding multiple boundaries, including Allen’s audacious back-foot six over midwicket and exquisite wristy fours.
The standout moment came when Allen reached the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, a sensational 100 off just 51 balls, smashing boundaries and sixes at will. His innings included towering sixes off Marco Jansen and perfectly timed flicks behind square and over midwicket, leaving South Africa shell-shocked. Maharaj’s leg-spin offered little resistance as Allen and Ravindra continued to dominate.
New Zealand’s opening partnership of 117 runs set the platform for a dominant total, breaking multiple records in T20 WC knockout history. The Proteas’ bowling lacked both penetration and consistency, with dropped catches and wayward lines compounding their woes. By the 12th over, New Zealand were comfortably ahead, cruising towards the final in Ahmedabad with the match virtually settled. Allen’s historic century and New Zealand’s flawless execution ensured a comprehensive and memorable victory in the semi-final.
NZ 2nd innings scorecard:
| New Zealand Batting | ||||||||||||||||
| Batsman | Dismissal | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||||||||
| Tim Seifert † | b Kagiso Rabada | 58 | 33 | 42 | 7 | 2 | 175.75 | |||||||||
| Finn Allen | not out | 100 | 33 | 62 | 10 | 8 | 303.03 | |||||||||
| Rachin Ravindra | not out | 13 | 11 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 118.18 | |||||||||
| Extras | (lb 2) | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | |||||||||
| Total | 12.5 ov (RR: 13.48) | 173/1 | – | – | – | – | – | |||||||||
| Did not bat: Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson | ||||||||||||||||
| Fall of Wickets: 1-117 (Tim Seifert, 9.1 ov) | ||||||||||||||||
| South Africa Bowling | ||||||||||||||||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | WD | NB | ||||||||
| Marco Jansen | 2.5 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 18.7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Kagiso Rabada | 3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Lungi Ngidi | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Corbin Bosch | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 17.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Keshav Maharaj | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||
South Africa scorecard:
| South Africa (20 ovs maximum) | |||||||
| Batting | Dismissal | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Aiden Markram (c) | c Mitchell b Ravindra | 18 | 20 | 39 | 1 | 1 | 90 |
| Quinton de Kock † | c Ferguson b McConchie | 10 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 125 |
| Ryan Rickelton | c Allen b McConchie | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dewald Brevis | c Santner b Neesham | 34 | 27 | 45 | 3 | 2 | 125.92 |
| David Miller | c Mitchell b Ravindra | 6 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Tristan Stubbs | b Ferguson | 29 | 24 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 120.83 |
| Marco Jansen | not out | 55 | 30 | 47 | 2 | 5 | 183.33 |
| Corbin Bosch | b Henry | 2 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Kagiso Rabada | c Neesham b Henry | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Keshav Maharaj | not out | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Extras | (lb 1, nb 1, w 12) | ||||||
| Total | 20 Ov (RR: 8.45) 169/8 | ||||||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | WD |
| Matt Henry | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 8.5 | 11 | 3 |
| Cole McConchie | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 7.25 | 11 | 1 |
| James Neesham | 3 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 1 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.25 | 9 | 2 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 4 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 | 7 | 1 |
South Africa vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-final 1: Playing 11
New Zealand Playing 11: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
South Africa Playing 11: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 live telecast: Star Sports will telecast the ICC Men's T20 World Cup matches in India.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 live streaming: The matches will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India.
9:56 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: Allen powers NZ to victory!
Allen's blitz has taken New Zealand into the T20 World Cup final as they beat South Africa by 9 wickets in Kolkata
9:52 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: NZ need 21 off 48 balls!
New Zealand’s dominance continued as they plundered 12 runs off Keshav Maharaj’s third over to reach 149/1 after 12 overs. Finn Allen was relentless, first clipping a drifting delivery past short fine for four before producing an extraordinary back-foot six off a good length ball on middle and leg.
He calmly added a single to long-off to retain strike.
Rachin Ravindra played a supporting role, rotating strike with a firm slap to long-off but otherwise contained by a hint of turn from Maharaj. With Allen surging to 76 off just 28 balls, the chase had become a formality as New Zealand closed in emphatically.
He calmly added a single to long-off to retain strike.
Rachin Ravindra played a supporting role, rotating strike with a firm slap to long-off but otherwise contained by a hint of turn from Maharaj. With Allen surging to 76 off just 28 balls, the chase had become a formality as New Zealand closed in emphatically.
9:46 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: Allen on a roll!
New Zealand tightened their grip further, collecting 13 runs from Corbin Bosch’s over to move to 137/1 after 11 overs. Rachin Ravindra set the tone early with a beautifully timed whip through midwicket for four, showcasing sublime wristwork. He rotated strike smartly thereafter, while Finn Allen continued his assault.
Despite a hint of cramp after dragging a pull to deep square leg for one, Allen showed no signs of slowing down, finishing the over in style with a towering six over deep midwicket. With both batters in control and the required rate well within reach, New Zealand edged closer to sealing a dominant semi-final victory.
Despite a hint of cramp after dragging a pull to deep square leg for one, Allen showed no signs of slowing down, finishing the over in style with a towering six over deep midwicket. With both batters in control and the required rate well within reach, New Zealand edged closer to sealing a dominant semi-final victory.
9:41 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: Rabada strikes!
Kagiso Rabada finally broke the mammoth 117-run opening stand, but New Zealand remained firmly in control at 124/1 after 10 overs. Tim Seifert’s explosive 58 ended when a skiddy, jagging delivery from Rabada stayed low and crashed into middle and leg stump.
However, the breakthrough came a touch late. Rachin Ravindra made an immediate impact, driving confidently and slicing a superb boundary through backward point off an off-cutter. Finn Allen, already on 58, survived a leg-side delivery that brushed his pad for a leg bye.
Despite conceding seven runs, Rabada at least halted the opening surge, though the chase still heavily favoured New Zealand.
However, the breakthrough came a touch late. Rachin Ravindra made an immediate impact, driving confidently and slicing a superb boundary through backward point off an off-cutter. Finn Allen, already on 58, survived a leg-side delivery that brushed his pad for a leg bye.
Despite conceding seven runs, Rabada at least halted the opening surge, though the chase still heavily favoured New Zealand.
9:37 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: Fastest 50 of the World Cup!
New Zealand’s charge showed no signs of slowing as they raced to 117/0 after nine overs, plundering 14 runs off Keshav Maharaj’s second over. Finn Allen was in devastating touch, bringing up a blistering half-century before accelerating further. He paddled a drifting delivery fine for four, rocked back to hammer a powerful pull over midwicket for six, and sliced another through point for two.
Tim Seifert, equally fluent, rotated strike calmly to reach his own fifty. Maharaj varied his pace and length but struggled to contain the onslaught. With both openers past fifty, New Zealand tightened their grip on the chase in emphatic fashion.
Tim Seifert, equally fluent, rotated strike calmly to reach his own fifty. Maharaj varied his pace and length but struggled to contain the onslaught. With both openers past fifty, New Zealand tightened their grip on the chase in emphatic fashion.
9:28 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: NZ 91/0 after 7 overs!
New Zealand continued their dominant start, finishing the powerplay at a commanding 91/0 after seven overs. Keshav Maharaj kept things relatively tight, conceding just seven runs, but the damage had already been done.
Tim Seifert moved to 47 with a powerful slap through the off-side for four before rotating strike with singles to long-on and long-off. Finn Allen, blazing on 44 off just 16 balls, calmly drove a flat delivery down the ground for one. Despite a couple of dot balls where Maharaj cleverly denied room, New Zealand recorded the highest powerplay total in a T20 World Cup knockout, putting South Africa under immense pressure.
Tim Seifert moved to 47 with a powerful slap through the off-side for four before rotating strike with singles to long-on and long-off. Finn Allen, blazing on 44 off just 16 balls, calmly drove a flat delivery down the ground for one. Despite a couple of dot balls where Maharaj cleverly denied room, New Zealand recorded the highest powerplay total in a T20 World Cup knockout, putting South Africa under immense pressure.
9:23 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: New Zealand 84 for 0 after 6 overs
New Zealand need 86 runs to win in 84 balls
Bosch comes in the attack for South Africa
Ball 6: Corbin Bosch delivers on a back-of-a-length outside off and Finn Allen swings hard but fails to make contact, no run.
Ball 5: FOUR! Bosch bowls short of a length outside off and Allen steers it cleverly over short third man, guiding it away to the boundary.
Ball 4: FOUR! Attempting the yorker, Bosch ends up serving a slot ball and Allen drills it powerfully straight down the ground, beating the bowler and racing past the stumps at the non-striker’s end for another boundary.
Ball 3: FOUR! Bosch goes short of a length outside off and Allen swings hard, getting a thick outside edge that flies over short third man and runs away for four.
Ball 2: FOUR! Short of a length again from Bosch and Allen pulls it firmly towards the leg side, sending it racing past long-on for another boundary.
Ball 1: SIX! Bosch begins with a short-of-a-length delivery shaping away and Allen slashes hard at it, slicing the ball over backward point as it sails all the way for a maximum.
9:18 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: New Zealand 62 for 0 after 5 overs
New Zealand need 108 runs to win in 90 balls
Rabada comes back in the attack for South Africa
Ball 6: Kagiso Rabada delivers on a good length and Tim Seifert defends it calmly, no run.
Ball 5: FOUR! Rabada pitches it up and Seifert latches onto it, driving firmly through the off side as the ball races away to the boundary.
Ball 4: SIX! Rabada drops one right in the slot and Seifert punishes it, launching a powerful hit over long-on for a big maximum.
Ball 3: Rabada rolls his fingers over a slower full delivery outside off and Seifert smashes the drive, but it goes straight to the fielder at mid-off, no run.
Ball 2: Short-of-a-length delivery outside off and Finn Allen taps it gently towards point for a single.
Ball 1: Seifert swings across the line and mistimes the slog, but it still clears midwicket. The ball is cut off in the deep and they run three, bringing up New Zealand’s fifty.
9:13 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: New Zealand 48 for 0 after 4 overs
New Zealand need 122 runs to win in 96 balls
Ngidi comes in the attack for South Africa
Ball 6: SIX! Lungi Ngidi strays onto the pads and Finn Allen helps it on its way, whipping it over fine leg for a maximum.
Ball 5: Ngidi rolls his fingers over the slower ball and Allen waits for it before driving firmly, but it goes straight to the fielder at mid-off, no run.
Ball 4: A very full dipping slower delivery from Ngidi and Tim Seifert clips it neatly towards long-on for a single.
Ball 3: Ngidi bowls another slower one outside off and Seifert mistimes the drive, finding the fielder at mid-off, no run.
Ball 2: Short-of-a-length delivery and Allen taps it gently towards cover to collect a single.
Ball 1: Ngidi starts with a full ball on the stumps and Seifert flicks it towards mid-on. The fielder fumbles, allowing the batters to sneak three runs.
9:09 PM
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE UPDATES T20 WC 2026 Semi-final: New Zealand 37 for 0 after 3 overs
New Zealand need 133 runs to win in 102 balls
Jansen continues the attack for South Africa
Ball 6: Marco Jansen pitches it up and Tim Seifert drives it down the ground towards long-on, picking up a single.
Ball 5: FOUR! Jansen changes the angle but offers a slot delivery and Seifert goes for the lofted straight drive. It comes off the inner half of the bat but flies safely over mid-on and races away to the boundary.
Ball 4: SIX! Seifert brings out the audacious scoop as Jansen bowls full on the stumps. Moving across his stumps, he helps it fine and clears the fine leg fence for a maximum.
Ball 3: Jansen delivers a short-of-a-length ball that nips back in and cramps Seifert on the slog. The ball brushes the back leg pocket on the way to the keeper, prompting a big appeal for a catch, but UltraEdge shows nothing and South Africa lose the review, no run.
Ball 2: Short-of-a-length delivery from Jansen and Finn Allen taps it gently to backward point for a single.
Ball 1: SIX! Jansen begins with a full ball in the slot and Allen clears his front leg before striking through the line, sending it sailing straight down the ground for a big six.
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First Published: Mar 04 2026 | 5:56 PM IST