New Zealand opener Finn Allen played a explosive innings in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, which added a new chapter in cricket history. While chasing the target of 170 runs against South Africa, Allen scored a century in just 33 balls. This is the fastest century in the history of T20 World Cup. Due to his aggressive batting, New Zealand achieved the target in just 12.5 overs and secured a place in the final.
Finn Allen put pressure on the bowlers from the beginning. He also got excellent support from Tim Seifert, who opened the innings. Both of them made an opening partnership of 117 runs, due to which the match became one-sided. South Africa got some chances in the initial overs but they suffered losses due to missed catches. After this, Allen finished the match with a flurry of fours and sixes.
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Finn Allen became world number one in this matter
Finn Allen made the record of the fastest century in the T20 World Cup by scoring a century in 33 balls. Earlier, Chris Gayle had achieved this milestone in 47 balls in 2016. Allen left that record far behind. His innings became the fastest century in T20I against a full-member team and he shares this record with Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe.
- 33 balls: Finn Allen vs South Africa (2026)
- 47 balls: Chris Gayle vs England (2016)
- 50 balls: Chris Gayle vs South Africa (2007)
- 50 balls: Harry Brook vs Pakistan (2026)
- 51 balls: Brendon McCullum vs Bangladesh (2012)
Also read: SA vs NZ: Who is this Kiwi spinner, who took 2 wickets in 2 balls in the semi-finals?
Finn Allen hit 10 fours and eight sixes in his innings. After which he became the first batsman to hit eight sixes in the knockout match of the T20 World Cup. With a total of 18 boundaries, he equaled the record of former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.
Highest scores in T20 World Cup knockout
- 100* runs: Finn Allen vs South Africa, 2026 Semi-Final
- 96* runs: Tillakaratne Dilshan vs West Indies, 2009
- 89* रन: Virat Kohli vs West Indies, 2016
- 86* रन: Alex Hales vs India, 2022
- 85* रन: Marlon Samuels vs England, 2016 Final
- 85 रन: Kane Williamson vs Australia, 2021 Final
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Fastest century in T20 International (in terms of balls)
- 27 balls: Sahil Chauhan (Estonia)
- 29 balls:Mohammad Fahad (Türkiye)
- 33 balls:Finn Allen (New Zealand)
- 33 balls:John Nicol Lofty-Eaton (Namibia)
- 33 balls:Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)
T20 World Cup century for New Zealand
- 123 runs: Brendon McCullum vs Bangladesh, 2012
- 104 रन: Glenn Phillips vs Sri Lanka, 2022
- 100* रन: Finn Allen vs South Africa, 2026
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