By Alam Zeb Safi
KOLKATA: A blistering unbeaten century from Finn Allen sent New Zealand storming into the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a crushing nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Allen smashed 100 not out off just 33 balls, the fastest century in the T20 World Cup history, as New Zealand chased down a target of 170 in only 12.5 overs, finishing on 173-1 with 43 balls to spare.
Allen broke Chris Gayle’s record of fastest T20 World Cup century with the West Indies former great hitting it off 47 balls against England on March 16, 2016 at Wankhede, Mumbai.
After electing to field, New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a disciplined effort to restrict South Africa to 169-8 from their 20 overs before Allen turned the contest into a one-sided spectacle with a breathtaking assault.
South Africa endured an early wobble as Quinton de Kock fell for 10 and Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for a duck in the second over.
Captain Aiden Markram (18) and Dewald Brevis (34) attempted to rebuild but regular wickets stalled momentum. Markram was caught off Rachin Ravindra while David Miller managed only six as South Africa slipped to 77-4 at the halfway mark.
Brevis fell soon after and although Tristan Stubbs contributed 29, the innings threatened to unravel before all-rounder Marco Jansen provided late impetus.
Jansen struck an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, peppering the leg side with five sixes to lift South Africa beyond 160. His 50 came off 27 deliveries and ensured his side posted a competitive total after being 101-5 in the 14th over.
Matt Henry claimed 2-34 and Ravindra 2-29 while Cole McConchie made an impact with two wickets in a solitary over. Despite conceding 42 runs, James Neesham removed Brevis at a key moment.
South Africa’s total of 169-8 appeared respectable on a good batting surface but it proved well below par.
New Zealand’s reply began at breakneck speed. The opening pair of Tim Seifert and Allen plundered 84 runs in the powerplay without loss, effectively breaking the contest within the first six overs.
Seifert struck 58 from 33 balls before falling to Kagiso Rabada with the score on 117 in the ninth over. By then, however, Allen had seized complete control.
The right-hander reached his half-century in just 19 balls and showed no signs of slowing. He brought up his century off 33 deliveries, striking 10 fours and eight sixes in a stunning display of clean hitting that left the South African attack reeling.
Allen’s calculated aggression dismantled every bowling option. Marco Jansen’s left-arm pace went for 53 runs in 2.5 overs while Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj also struggled to contain the onslaught.
Rachin Ravindra supported Allen with a calm 13 not out as New Zealand cruised past the target at a run rate of 13.48 per over.
The emphatic nature of the victory underlined New Zealand’s title credentials. Having opted to bowl, they controlled the middle overs expertly before unleashing one of the most devastating chases seen in a World Cup knockout match.
Allen was named Player of the Match for his extraordinary innings which turned a potentially tense semi-final into a rout.
South Africa, who had hoped their late surge with the bat would prove decisive, were left searching for answers after their bowlers were overwhelmed in the powerplay and beyond.
New Zealand now advance to the final brimming with confidence after a commanding performance on one of cricket’s grandest stages.
Summary of scores:
South Africa 169-8 (20 overs)
Marco Jansen 55* (30), Dewald Brevis 34 (27), Tristan Stubbs 29 (24);
Matt Henry 2-34, Rachin Ravindra 2-29, Cole McConchie 2-9
New Zealand 173-1 (12.5 overs)
Finn Allen 100* (33), Tim Seifert 58 (33);
Kagiso Rabada 1-28
Result: New Zealand won by 9 wickets (with 43 balls remaining).
