KOLKATA, India, CMC – New Zealand opener Finn Allen blasted the fastest ever T20 World Cup century as New Zealand steamrolled South Africa by nine wickets to advance to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.
Allen bludgeoned an even, unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls to spearhead a superb run chase by the Kiwis after their bowlers did well to restrict the previously unbeaten South Africa to 169 for eight in their 20 overs at Eden Gardens.
He smashed 10 fours and eight sixes, as the Proteas cruised to 173 for one with an unbelievable 43 balls to spare.
Allen’s knock bettered the 47-ball century made by West Indian Chris Gayle against England at the 2016 World Cup.
He shared an opening stand of 117 in 9.3 overs with Tim Seifert, who hit 58 off 33 balls with seven fours and two sixes before being bowled by pacer Kagiso Rabada.
By then, the contest was already over, and Allen shared an unbroken partnership of 56 with Rachin Ravindra, who was a mere bystander in his knock of 13 from 11 balls.
Allen finished the match in fine style by clobbering pacer Marco Jansen for two fours and two sixes off his first four deliveries, the last of which took him to 96 and left the scores tied.
He then drove Jansen’s next delivery over mid off for a boundary to reach three figures while bringing an end to the contest.
Earlier, New Zealand’s bowlers did well to restrict South Africa to their total.
Off-spinner Cole McConchie put them on the backfoot by dismissing opener Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in successive deliveries to leave them 12 for two early on.
It was a position they never recovered from and actually looked set to be bowled out for a lesser total after slumping to 77 for five in the 11th over.
However, Jansen scored an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls with five sixes and two fours, and together with Tristan Stubbs, who made 29 off 24 balls, staged a late order fightback during a 73-run partnership that breathed life back into the innings.
McConchie (2-9), Ravindra (2-29), and Matt Henry (2-34) were the main destroyers for New Zealand, who now await the winner of Thursday’s second semifinal between India and England.
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