The New Zealand national cricket team stormed into the 2026 T20 World Cup final with a commanding nine-wicket victory over the South Africa national cricket team in the first semi-final.
It was the first time New Zealand defeated South Africa in a T20 World Cup encounter.
Batting first at Eden Gardens, South Africa managed 169 for 8 in their 20 overs. The Kiwi bowlers struck early, removing two wickets for just 48 runs in the Powerplay and keeping the usually dominant Proteas top order under pressure.
Marco Jansen remained unbeaten on 55, while Dewald Brevis scored 34. Tournament standout skipper Aiden Markram was restricted to just 18.
Matt Henry, Cole McConchie and Rachin Ravindra picked up two wickets each, while Lockie Ferguson and Jimmy Neesham chipped in with one apiece.
In response, New Zealand’s openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen came out blazing. They raced to 84 without loss in the Powerplay and stitched together a 117-run opening stand.
Seifert departed for 55 in the 10th over, but Allen produced a breathtaking knock, smashing the fastest century in T20 World Cup history — an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls — to seal victory in just 12.5 overs.
With this dominant performance, New Zealand booked their place in the final in emphatic fashion.
