New Zealand put on a stellar show, halting South Africa’s unbeaten streak and cruising to a nine-wicket semi-final win.
South Africa and Newzealand faced off in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 semi final on Wednesday (March 4, 2026), at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Match Summary
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first.
The Black Caps made an early breakthrough by bringing on off-spinner Cole McConchie in just the second over. The bold move worked perfectly. He dismissed South Africa’s left-handers Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in back-to-back deliveries. South Africa slipped to 12/2 early.
Captain Aiden Markram, who had been in great form earlier in the tournament, couldn’t get them out of trouble. A 43-run partnership followed between Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis. However, Markram fell after a brilliant diving catch by Daryl Mitchell off Rachin Ravindra.
Brevis contributed a solid 34 and appeared to have a good read on the slower pitch. However, he didn’t last long either, as he ended up chipping the ball directly to cover off James Neesham.
South Africa struggled at 77/5. Then Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen rebuilt the innings. They added 73 runs from just 48 balls.
In the 18th over, Jansen and Stubbs went after Neesham, scoring 22 runs and giving the innings a much-needed boost.
Jansen utilized his long reach and effortless power effectively, reaching his half-century with back-to-back sixes against Lockie Ferguson. He finished strong, hitting five sixes and two fours to remain not out on 55 runs from 30 balls.
It was McConchie (2/9) and left-arm spinner Ravindra (2/29) who helped the Black Caps make some early breakthroughs. Pacer Matt Henry also took two wickets, while Lockie Ferguson and Neesham contributed with one wicket each. New Zealand’s bowling attack stayed disciplined. They kept South Africa under pressure for most of the innings. Only Jansen’s late surge provided some resistance.
Chasing a stiff target of 170, New Zealand made a flying start. New Zealand dominated the powerplay. They raced to 84/0 in the first six overs. It was the second-highest powerplay score of the tournament. It was just two runs short of India’s 86/1 against Namibia.
Finn Allen’s 33-Ball Century – Key Highlights
Kagiso Rabada finally gave the Proteas a breakthrough by getting through Seifert’s defenses.
However, Seifert had already made a significant contribution, scoring 58 runs off 33 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.
Allen was on fire, scoring an incredible unbeaten 100 off only 33 balls, marking the fastest century in Men’s T20 World Cups.
The previous record was set by Chris Gayle, who hit a hundred in 47 balls against England back in 2016. Even though New Zealand was already in control, he helped the team cruise past the finish line, hitting three fours and two sixes in the last five balls.
A record-breaking ton by Finn Allen propelled New Zealand past South Africa and into the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.New Zealand is set to make their second appearance in a T20 World Cup final this Sunday(March 9,2026), having last competed in the championship match in 2021.
New Zealand is set to make their second appearance in a T20 World Cup final this Sunday(March 9,2026), having last competed in the championship match in 2021.
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