New Zealand booked their place in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after crushing South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Chasing 170, the Black Caps completed the target with remarkable ease, losing just one wicket and finishing the match with 43 balls remaining. The dominant chase was built on a massive opening partnership between Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.
The pair added 117 runs in just nine overs to take control of the match. Kagiso Rabada eventually broke the stand by dismissing Seifert, who scored an impressive 58 from 33 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Allen continued the onslaught and guided New Zealand to victory in style. The explosive opener reached his third T20I century when he smashed Marco Jansen for a boundary on the penultimate ball of the 13th over.
Finn Allen remained unbeaten on a sensational 100 from just 33 deliveries, striking 10 fours and eight sixes in a breathtaking knock.
After Seifert’s dismissal, Allen shared an unbeaten 56-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra. Ravindra supported the chase calmly and finished 13 not out from 11 balls as New Zealand comfortably sealed the win.
Rabada was the only South African bowler to take a wicket.
Earlier, South Africa posted 169/8 in their 20 overs after being sent in to bat.
The Proteas endured a poor start as Quinton de Kock (10) and Ryan Rickelton (0) were dismissed in the second over with the score on just 12.
Captain Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 43 runs for the third wicket before Markram was dismissed by Rachin Ravindra after scoring 18 from 20 balls.
Ravindra struck again in his following over to remove David Miller, who scored six from six deliveries.
James Neesham then dealt another blow by dismissing Dewald Brevis, who had top-scored at that stage with 34 from 27 balls, including three fours and two sixes. South Africa were reduced to 77/5.
Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs launched a recovery with a 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket from 46 deliveries.
Stubbs contributed 29 from 24 balls with two fours and one six before Lockie Ferguson dismissed him on the first ball of the penultimate over.
Jansen continued the attack and remained unbeaten on 55 from 30 balls, smashing five sixes and two fours to lift South Africa to 169/8.
For New Zealand, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry and Rachin Ravindra claimed two wickets each, while James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson picked up one wicket apiece.
The convincing win sends New Zealand into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final.
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