Four minutes before 10 at night, when New Zealand’s opening batter, Finn Allen, smashed the tenth boundary to complete the century to carry them to the final during the semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, it was 5:30 in the morning in Auckland, and the same time zone in Dunedin.

The home fans stayed back for the whole night and supported their Kiwis side as they thumped the unbeaten Proteas, who are the runners-up from the previous edition of the event, out of the campaign. Finn Allen had just scored a T20I century in just 33 balls to get his name into the history books.

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“Oh yeah, I think you take the positives from this game for sure, celebrate a little moment of success. And then, we’ve got a final to win on Sunday, so we just look forward to that. I'm sure my parents were up watching the whole game. Hopefully they're proud.” Allen said at the end of the game, after winning the ‘player of the match’ award.

Fans’ celebration of New Zealand’s T20 WC 2026 semifinal goes viral

Besides those 10 boundaries, there were eight over boundaries- 88 runs of his 100 came in just boundaries, and he played only three dot balls. That was the least number of dot balls a player has played in a World Cup game, along with Virat Kohli, who contributed the same during the semifinal of the 2014 World Cup against the Proteas.

Watch the video here: 

Absolute scenes in this Dunners flat when Finn Allen hit the fastest 100 in T20 World Cup history and put NZ into the Final! @BLACKCAPS #cricket #blackcaps #nz #sport #finnallen pic.twitter.com/YBunfPyJ1V

— The ACC (@TheACCnz) March 4, 2026

A video went viral on social media platforms where the New Zealand fans used a screen to enjoy the game and celebrated crazily after the end of the clash. That was when the Blackcaps completed the nine-wicket win as Allen smashed an overall 20 sixes, which is the most sixes in a T20 WC edition.

Allen has now joined the opening batter of the Kiwis, Brendon McCullum, and their middle order batter, Glenn Phillips, to celebrate centuries in the T20 WCs. Allen’s 100* is the highest score in a T20 WC knockouts.

The co-founder of the Allen Institute, Brajesh Maheshwari, has dropped an advertising statement on the unbeaten 100-run knock from the New Zealand opening batter, Finn Allen, during the first semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata against South Africa. 

The New Zealand side completed the chase by nine wickets of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs as Finn Allen smashed 100* runs with the help of 10 boundaries and eight sixes, while his opening partner, Tim Seifert, drilled 58 runs in 33 balls, shouldering on seven boundaries and a pair of sixes. 

See Also: ‘Bloody walloping…’- Shukri Conrad reacts to SA’s 9-wkt defeat vs NZ in T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinal

“Hello friends!! Today, New Zealand’s victory was confirmed because Allen was with him. Did you see Allen’s batting? What a knock he played and scored the century off just 33 balls at a strike rate of more than 300, and the team completed the chase by nine wickets in just 12.5 overs. All of these were possible because of that one spelling- ALLEN, which was written behind his shirt.” Allen Institute co-founder said in a video.

Allen Institute co-founder drops viral statement on Finn Allen’s century

Maheshwari hopes that India will beat England in the semifinal of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai before they meet the Kiwis in the final. He also stated that India, which is the group of Allens, will surely beat the Blackcaps, who have only one Allen in the side.

Watch the video here: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brajesh Maheshwari (@allen.brajeshmaheshwari)

“That’s why we say, ‘Allen hai tuo mumkin hai.” Never ever before this has such a score been chased in a normal game, while this was the semifinal. But in the final, they will be up against India, which is the Allen Team together in a way. So, let’s send back England with a brilliant farewell game for them so that they also remember that for a long time, and then let’s wear the final medal.” Maheshwari stated.

“New Zealand has got only one Allen, and they will be up against a team of Allens. So, let’s pray India reaches the final and we go on to win the trophy. All the best.” Allen Institute co-founder shed light.

The nine-wicket defeat with 43 balls spare in the defense of 169 runs during the first semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata was not a mere choke for the South Africa side, as they were blown away in another knockout clash against New Zealand, who progressed to their second T20 WC final after the 2021 season.

South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, has described the defeat as ‘bloody walloping’, just three days after he had gladly accepted their tag of being the tournament favorites. He looked shocked at the post-match press conference in Kolkata.

See Also: Watch: Finn Allen smashes Corbin Bosch for 22-run over in SA vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final

“I don't know if tonight was a choke. I thought it was a bloody walloping. I think you must have had a sniff in the game to choke. We didn't have a sniff. In South Africa, we say we got moored (smashed). Tonight, we got a proper snotklap, also a South African word meaning a real hiding.” Conrad expressed in Kolkata.

South Africa coach drops shocking statement on T20 WC 2026 semifinal defeat

New Zealand were clinical with both bat and ball. Still, the main reason behind their victory was the leadership of Mitchell Santner, who used his bowling resources brilliantly in the first innings to continue the pressure on the opponent side.

“They strangled us up front, we lost wickets, and we didn't get any sort of momentum going. A hell of a lot didn't go right tonight, but that was probably enforced because they [New Zealand] were so good and they never gave us a sniff. I'm not going to sit here and try to make excuses for a bad night. We weren't good, and they were excellent.” Conrad addressed.

“The calibre of bowling tonight, coupled with the wicket, made it particularly tough for us, and whether you're alluding to it [a lack of calmness] because it's the semi-final, that's why there wasn't the calmness, I don't think it was that. New Zealand really was really, really good tonight. They gave us absolutely nothing, and they really squeezed particularly well.” The Protea coach shed light.

When South Africa posted a decent score of 169 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs during the first semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand, many reckoned that it would be a stiff task for the Blackcaps. But the latter made fun of the chase, thanks to their successful opening partnership between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen.

Finn Allen started the last over of the powerplay against Corbine Bosch with a massive six as the ball sailed over the backward point. He went hard against the ball and sliced it hard on the offside. He carried the momentum for a boundary against him as he pulled over the long-on region.

See Also: Watch: Marco Jansen smashes stunning no-look 90m six in SA vs NZ T20 WC 2026 semi-final

The right-handed batter used the same power and energy for another boundary as he went for a hard drive, but the ball earned the thick outside edge and flew over the third man region for a strong four. On the fourth delivery of the over, he belted the slot ball back down the ground for a strong boundary.

Finn Allen smashes Corbin Bosch for 22-run over in T20 WC 2026 semifinal 

On the penultimate over of the powerplay, Allen got another edge as the ball went past the short third man region for a boundary. It was a poor over from Bosch, which soaked any possible chance for the Proteas to make a slight comeback in the game as the Kiwis made their way to 84/0 in six overs.

Watch the video here: 

@StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/0i2huJVsrc

— Cricket Everywhere✍🏻 (@Subhamk79241601) March 4, 2026

On the other hand, Tim Seifert continued his onslaught batting and celebrated the fifty in just 28 balls before Allen joined the party for his half-century in just 19 balls, which was the fastest T20 WC fifty for NZ, bettering Glenn Phillips’ 22-ball fifty against Canada.

South Africa and Rabada broke the opening stand of 117 runs with the dismissal of Seifert for 58 runs in 33 balls, but that would hardly make any difference. New Zealand found themselves at a superb position of 149/1 in 12 overs for a run rate of 12.42.

Brief Scores: NZ 173/1 (Finn Allen 100, Tim Seifert 58, KG Rabada 1/28) beat SA 169/8 (Marco Jansen 55*, Cole McConchie 2/9) 

South Africa didn’t make a great start with the bat during the first semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They lost their top five batters for only 77 runs on the board in 10.2 overs, which is the lowest aggregate runs for their top five in any edition of the competition, and it came in the knockout clash.

Marco Jansen, who can smash the big shots around the park, made his way early in the innings and smashed a steaky boundary in the slip region as the ball races away to the rope for a four. He stepped out and went close to the surface and clubbed Rachin Ravindra for a straight six down the ground.

See Also: Watch: Cole McConchie's two-wicket over put SA on the back foot in SA vs NZ Semifinal 1 of T20 World Cup 2026

But the shot that caught the eye was the 90m no-look six from Jansen. It was the second delivery of the 17th over of the innings. The right-handed lanky bater cleared his front leg out of the way and swung the willow and didn’t bother to look at the trajectory of the ball, which sailed over the rope for a massive six.

Marco Jansen smashes jaw-dropping no-look six in T20 WC 2026 semifinal

Jansen decided to tear down the 18th over against James Neesham. He moved across and managed to get a faint edge on this glance as the bowler fired the yorker down the leg side, and it just needed a bit of bat to time it to the fine leg region. On the very next ball, he pulled the short ball over mid-wicket for a massive six.

Watch the video here: 

@StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/HP1bSYHb1m

— Cricket Everywhere✍🏻 (@Subhamk79241601) March 4, 2026

Jansen smashed Lockie Ferguson for another six and completed his half-century in just 27 balls, as this time, he used the pace of the delivery to guide it over the long-on region for a six. It was a wonderful knock from the all-rounder.

Jansen remained unbeaten on 55 runs in 30 balls at a strike rate of 183.33 with the help of two boundaries and five sixes. Matt Henry was superb with the ball to bowl the last over as the Proteas finished with 169/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Brief Scores: SA 169/8 (Marco Jansen 55*, Cole McConchie 2/9) vs NZ 51/0 (Tim Seifert 31*)

Marco Jansen always had the power and skill to bat long and hit the big shots around the park, and he used the same during their semifinal clash of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The lanky right-handed batter came into the middle quite early when they lost their five wickets for just 77 runs. 

Marco Jansen cleared the front foot and swung his willow to smash the big six over the ropes in the wide long-on region before adding a boundary. He took on James Neesham for another six over the mid-wicket region as he pulled the shot ball from the right-arm pacer.

See Also: Watch: Daryl Mitchell’s controversial catch removes Aiden Markram in SA vs NZ T20 WC 2026 semi-final

On the fourth delivery of the penultimate over against Lockie Ferguson, Jansen used the bottom hand power over the wide long-on region for a massive six before getting his first fifty of the tournament in just 27 balls with another long six over the long-on region as the entire dug-out stood and appreciated the knock.

Marco Jansen celebrates 27-ball fifty in T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal

Jansen remained unbeaten on 55 runs in just 30 balls with the help of two boundaries and five sixes at a strike rate of 183.33. He was the main contributor to the Rainbow Nation getting near the 170-run mark in their 20 overs.

Let's take a look at the Twitter Reactions: 

Marco Jansen scored 52(28) and not 50(48) from a position when his team was 77-5. pic.twitter.com/j3LNxwTx9l

— RUCH (@deAtHx__00) March 4, 2026

Bat ✅
Ball ✅
Field ✅

Marco Jansen, just 25 years old, carrying South Africa on his shoulders. 👌

— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) March 4, 2026

27 Ball Fifty For Jansen When South Africa Was Down & Out 🤯

- What a Knock Under Huge Pressure 👏👏#SAvsNZ#MarcoJansen#ICCMensT20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ATFoYvjp1K

— Bugs Bunny 🐰 (@bunnyhumai) March 4, 2026

Fastest 50 in T20WC Knock-outs:

🇮🇳 20 Balls - Yuvraj Singh vs AUS, 2007
🇦🇺 22 Balls - Michael Hussey vs PAK, 2010
🇿🇦 23 Balls - Heinrich Klaasen vs IND, 2024
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 26 Balls - Jason Roy vs NZ, 2016
🇿🇦 27 Balls - Marco Jansen vs NZ (Today)

📷 ICC via Getty Images | #NZvsSA… pic.twitter.com/tl3n75jHZN

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) March 4, 2026

Marco Jansen Virat Kohli after
After 77/5 50/3pic.twitter.com/qWdaHVZ5fY

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) March 4, 2026

I think we collectively haven’t given Marco Jansen the necessary respect for being a rare, modern-day three-format, all-round star. He’s practically a specialist bowler and a good enough batter who evolves roles seamlessly across all formats. What a find! #T20WorldCup2026

— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) March 4, 2026

Meet Marco Jansen

- Clutches it with the bat when the top order collapse’s 💪
- Give breakthrough when captain desperately needs one
- Switches gear instantly when it comes to go berserk
- strikes early inthe powerplay like clockwork
- That left arm swing? Absolutely… pic.twitter.com/dXOmtUxgV7

— Yash MSdian ™️ 🦁 (@itzyash07) March 4, 2026

Marco Jansen has that Lance Klusener factor. And this is now visible across formats. Remember he's just 25 years old. Should be helping South Africa win a few white ball ICC tournaments, this decade.

— Spandan Roy (@talksports45) March 4, 2026

South Africa didn’t make a great start with the bat after being put in at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata during their first semifinal clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand. They had already lost both their left-handed batters of the top order, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, before their captain, Aiden Markram, started to recover the batting.

However, on the fourth delivery of the eighth over, Rachin Ravindra, who earlier dropped Markram inside the circle in a comfortable catch, sent back the Protea captain for 18 runs as the struggling knock of the right-handed batter for 20 balls came to an end. But all in all, it gave birth to a controversial catch of Daryl Mitchell.

See Also: Watch: Cole McConchie's two-wicket over put SA on the back foot in SA vs NZ Semifinal 1 of T20 World Cup 2026

It was fired towards the middle and leg stump of the right-handed batter, who played the loft down the ground and didn’t find the middle of the bat. It skewed off the thick inside edge and went flat towards the man at the long-on region. Mitchell ran forward and put a full-length dive to claim the catch, just a few inches above the turf.

Daryl Mitchell takes controversial catch in NZ vs SA T20 WC 2026 semifinal 

The third umpire decided to recheck the catch as it looked a bit touch-and-go. But the television umpire was delighted with the decision and felt that the fingers of the fielder were under the ball. Mitchell never claimed the catch and hinted that he was not sure, and pushed the umpires for the replay.

Watch the video here: 

What an incredible effort from Daryl Mitchell to send Aiden Markram back! 👏

What's do you think of this catch? 👀

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | Semi-final 1 #SAvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/LMBOn54jDE pic.twitter.com/joF4nS8qxu

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2026

South Africa didn’t bat well at all in the semifinal under pressure. Dewald Brevis went back to the hut after scoring 34 runs in 27 balls with the help of three boundaries and a pair of sixes at a strike rate of 125.93, while the others could not get the firepower.

Marco Jansen hit a few big shots, but the run rate was under 7.50, which was a concern for the management to get a strong score on the board at the end of their allotted 20 overs of the innings. They made their way to 101/5 in 14 overs.

Brief Scores: SA 128/5 (Marco Jansen 29*, Cole McConchie 2/9) vs NZ 

The first semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 between New Zealand and South Africa at the Eden Gardens gave a great chance to the Blackcaps to win their maiden T20 WC game against the Proteas and knock the runners-up from the previous season. They needed to make a great start with the ball, after opting to do the same post-winning the toss.

New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, brought the off-spinner Cole McConchie into the attack as Quinton de Kock nailed the third ball of the second over down the ground for a sweet boundary as he had enough power to clear the fielder inside the ring. But for the next balls, it was McConchie’s class.

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The fourth delivery was a short ball with no pace on it. The off-spinner got the ball to jump on the left-handed batter, who had no room to smash it as De Kock went for the pull shot and got more height on it than the distance, as Lockie Ferguson, at the mid-on region, took it comfortably.

Cole McConchie dismisses Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in T20 WC 2026 Semifinal 1

On the very next delivery, McConchie used the short ball again as he put it wide of the off stump. Ryan Rickelton, the left-handed batter, felt that there was a chance to get off the mark and went for the slash, as the ball came off the thick outside half and offered the catching practice to the backward point fielder.

Watch the video here: 

Off-spin does the trick for the Kiwis! 👏

☝️ de Kock
☝️ Rickelton

Cole McConchie’s double-wicket over has put South Africa under early pressure! 🥶

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | Semi-final 1 #SAvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/LMBOn54jDE pic.twitter.com/5sOpAgpsrX

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2026

The off-spinner could actually celebrate a hat-trick as Dewald Brevis, on his very first ball of the innings, got an outside edge as the ball drifted away after pitching and raced away to the boundary rope after getting the edge.

Despite losing both wickets, Aiden Markram, the captain, has been aggressive with his shots and tried to put pressure back on the bowler as the Kiwis made the mistake of dropping his back inside the 30-yard circle, which could prove costly later in the game.

Brief Scores: SA 50/2 (Aiden Markrm 17*, Cole McConhie 2/9) vs NZ.

The Dolphins batter, Marques Ackerman, will continue to lead the South African side for the upcoming trip to New Zealand, which is set to take place later this month. The two teams will lock horns for the 50-over fixtures at Willowmoore Park in Benoni from August 30 to September 03 before the focus shifts to the four-day clashes at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom and Benoni. 

Both squads have a core group of players who recently made their trips to the Caribbean, where Ackerman led the Proteas’ A-side to the commanding 2-0 series victories in the one-day and four-day games. The two international pacers, Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka, will feature in both squads as the former aims to get back his sharpness with the ball.

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North West Dragons’ batter, Rubin Hermann, who made his T20I debut during the tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, has been named in the 50-over squad. The Lions’ batter, Zubayr Hamza, has returned to the squad of the Rainbow Nation as a part of the four-day squad.

South Africa announce strong squad for upcoming men's South Africa A tour to New Zealand

Head coach, Wandile Gwavu, expressed that with the teams doing fabulously well in the West Indies trip, they have kept faith in the players to display another superb performance against the Blackcaps at home.

“I was impressed with how Marques led the team during the West Indies tour. The entire changeroom wanted to play for him, and that’s always a great sign. It was an easy decision to back him again, and I’m looking forward to working with him on this upcoming tour.” Gwavu said in the press conference.

“Gerald and Kwena add valuable international experience and skill, and with Bjorn Fortuin unavailable due to a groin injury, Tsepo’s selection is well deserved based on his recent performances. Playing in our backyard in familiar conditions is an added advantage.” The head coach of the side shed light.

South Africa one-day squad against New Zealand A

Marques Ackerman (captain), Okuhle Cele, Gerald Coetzee, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile, Andile Simelane, and Jason Smith.

South Africa four-day squad against New Zealand A

Marques Ackerman (captain), Okuhle Cele, Gerald, Schalk Engelbrecht, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Jason Smith, and Codi Yusuf.

Before their last game in the league stage against the hosts, New Zealand confirmed their top place in the final points table in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe after claiming a comfortable seven-wicket win against South Africa. 

While New Zealand and South Africa both have already qualified for the Final of the tri-series, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner chose to field first in the fifth game of the tournament. After South Africa were restricted to 134/8 in 20 overs, the Blackcaps chased down the target in 15.5 overs after losing only three wickets. By winning the match with 25 balls remaining, it was the fastest T20I chase for New Zealand against South Africa. 

While the Blackcaps recorded their back-to-back T20I wins against Proteas in this tournament, it was their first consecutive T20I victories against the same team. 

INDCH vs SACH – WCL 2025: AB de Villiers Rolls Back the Years with Blazing 28-Ball Fifty at 41

New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I tri-series: South African innings failed to threaten

South African batting struggled from the early stage of the first innings, as their wickets were falling at regular intervals. Only the opener Reeza Hendricks (41) and George Linde (23*) managed to reach the 20-run marks in that innings. There was no solid partnership in that innings, while the highest was 30 runs for the sixth wicket between Hendricks and Linde. 

Three Blackcaps bowlers bagged two wickets each in that innings, as Adam Milne (2/21) and Mitchell Santner (2/26) controlled the innings along with Jacob Duffy (2/33). 

New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I tri-series: Player of the Match Tim Seifert assured comfortable chase

In reply, the opener and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, the Player of the Match, almost single-handedly controlled the successful chasing with his 66 not out off 48 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. Darly Mitchell (20*) was the other to reach the 20-run mark in that second innings. Devon Conway (19), Rachin Ravindra (3), and Mark Chapman (10) were dismissed for cheap scores, while Seifert and Mitchell had a 51-run partnership for the unbroken fourth wicket.