New Zealand advanced to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens on March 4. New Zealand chased down the target in just 12.5 overs, securing their place in the title match.
South Africa batted first and scored 169 for 8 in 20 overs. Captain Aiden Markram made 18 runs off 20 balls and was dismissed by Rachin Ravindra, while Dewald Brevis contributed 34 off 27 deliveries. Marco Jansen remained unbeaten on 55 off 30 balls, hitting five sixes and two fours as part of the lower-middle-order effort. Ravindra, Cole McConchie and Matt Henry took two wickets each for New Zealand.
In reply, New Zealand reached 173 for 1 in 12.5 overs, completing the nine-wicket win with 43 balls to spare. Finn Allen was named Player of the Match after scoring a century off just 33 deliveries, the fastest century in men’s T20 World Cup history, featuring 10 fours and 8 sixes. Tim Seifert supported the chase with 58 runs, and the opening pair put on a 117-run partnership before Seifert was dismissed.
With this century, Allen broke multiple records in the T20 World Cup. It is the fastest century in the tournament’s history and the joint third-fastest in T20 International history. Allen’s unbeaten 100 is the highest score recorded in a T20 World Cup knockout match.
With 10 fours and 8 sixes, Allen now shares the joint-highest boundary count in a T20 World Cup innings alongside Brendon McCullum, who struck 11 fours and 7 sixes against Bangladesh in Pallekele in 2012. Allen also set another record for the most sixes in a single T20 World Cup edition, with 20 sixes in the ongoing tournament.
The match ended South Africa’s unbeaten run in the competition. New Zealand’s decisive chase confirmed their second appearance in a Men’s T20 World Cup final. They will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England in the championship match.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said after the match, “It was nice. I think we knew obviously how good South Africa are, and they’ve shown that throughout the tournament. So, to put on a performance like that in a crunch game is obviously pretty pleasing.”
South Africa captain Markram said, “Obviously disappointed with the result, but very proud of this group of guys who have played some really good cricket throughout this competition, and it’s just an unfortunate evening really.”
– Magizh
