After New Zealand’s massive victory by 10 wickets during the chase against United Arab Emirates (UAE), the eyes were on their openers during the T20 World Cup 2026 clash between the Blackcaps and the South Africa side at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The pitch was a bit tricky with dew making its impact potentially in the second innings.

Finn Allen started the third delivery against Lungi Ngidi with two successive boundaries. The first ball was a fullish delivery wide of the off stump, as the right-handed batter leaned across into the open-faced drive, slicing it over the backward point, and the ball bounced away to the rope. On the very next ball, he climbed to the cut and cleared the backward point for a four.

See Also: 'Out of syllabus...'- Suryakumar Yadav reveals plan to tackle Usman Tariq in IND vs PAK T20 WC 2026 clash

On the fifth delivery of the third over, Allen got a good stride forward and swung his bat through the line as he sent it high and over the long-on region for a massive six before getting an inside delivery on the line and clipped it past the mid-wicket region.

Finn Allen nails huge six in NZ vs SA T20 WC 2026 clash

Allen was finally dismissed for 31 runs in 17 balls with the help of four boundaries and a couple of sixes as his mistimed shot ended in the hands of the fielder inside the ring. Once he was dismissed on the last over of the powerplay, the middle order of the Kiwis fell like a pack of cards.

Watch the video here: 

Finn Allen clears the ropes off Lungi Ngidi to bring up a massive six! 💥

The Kiwis are off to a solid start in this big clash! 🇳🇿

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #NZvSA | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/QWNvn10eTj pic.twitter.com/9ruNUCcGWp

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 14, 2026

The only other good partnership of the side was the fifty-run stand as Mark Chapman nailed 48 runs in 26 balls at a strike rate of 184.62, shouldering on six boundaries and a pair of sixes. Dary Mitchell also got 32 runs in 24 balls, thanks to two boundaries and one six.

Marco Jansen was excellent with the ball as he returned with four wickets in a four-over spell for an economy rate of 10. Kagiso Rabada claimed 1/34 in four overs at an economy rate of 8.50, equaling the figures with Corbin Bosch.

Brief Scores: NZ 175/7 (Mark Chapman 48, Daryl Mitchell 32, Maroc Jansen 4/30) vs SA 37/0 (Aiden Markram 27*)