The T20 World Cup witnessed a thrilling encounter as New Zealand dethroned South Africa, securing their spot in the final with a commanding nine-wicket victory in Kolkata. Finn Allen's stellar performance stole the show, as he smashed the tournament's fastest hundred, achieving it in just 33 balls. This remarkable feat not only propelled New Zealand to the summit but also shattered the previous record held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle.
South Africa, who had dominated the competition with seven consecutive wins, including a resounding seven-wicket triumph over New Zealand in the first round, faced a stunning reversal of fortune. Their unbeaten streak was broken by New Zealand's formidable batting display, which included a breathtaking opening partnership of 117 runs from 55 balls between Allen (100 not out off 33) and Tim Seifert (58 off 33) at Eden Gardens.
The Black Caps' dominance was further emphasized by Allen's aggressive stroke play, as he smashed five boundaries in succession off Corbin Bosch in the sixth over and five more in a row off Marco Jansen in the 13th over. This explosive display of batting prowess set the stage for New Zealand's comfortable chase of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs.
New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, expressed his admiration for Allen and Seifert's partnership, stating that it was 'special to watch'. Santner also highlighted the team's satisfaction with the target of 170, which they felt was achievable. Conversely, South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, acknowledged the brilliance of Allen's innings, which effectively sealed the game early on.
Allen, the player of the match, attributed his success to Seifert's aggressive batting, which allowed him to focus on hitting the ball when it was in his area. He also emphasized the importance of staying in the fight during a semi-final, especially in a high-stakes game like this one. The victory sets up a potential New Zealand vs. England final, mirroring their 50-over World Cup encounter at Lord's seven years ago.
The T20 World Cup semi-finals and final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the semi-finals scheduled for March 4th and 5th and the final on March 8th. The tournament promises to be a spectacle, with the best teams in the world vying for the coveted title.
