Finn Allen Fastest T20 World Cup Century: All Records Broken in NZ vs South Africa Semi-Final

New Zealand opener Finn Allen delivered one of the most explosive knocks in T20 World Cup history, smashing a blistering century to lead the Black Caps to a nine-wicket win over South Africa in the 2026 semi-final at Eden Gardens.

Allen hammered 100 off just 33 balls, producing a staggering strike rate of 303.03 while smashing 10 fours and eight sixes. The innings powered New Zealand to the 170-run target with 43 balls to spare and secured their place in the final.

But beyond the match result, Allen's sensational knock also shattered multiple records across T20 cricket.

Fastest T20 World Cup century: Finn Allen

Allen's 33-ball hundred is now the fastest century ever recorded in T20 World Cup history.

The milestone came in emphatic fashion as the right-hander reached the three-figure mark with a boundary, capping off an innings that completely dismantled South Africa's bowling attack.

His knock surpassed previous World Cup records and instantly entered the list of the fastest centuries in the history of the format.

Among the fastest centuries in all T20 cricket

Allen's hundred also ranks among the quickest in the history of the format across international and franchise cricket.

His 33-ball ton is now:

the fastest century in T20 World Cups
the fastest century against a Full Member nation in T20 internationals
joint third-fastest century in all T20 internationals
joint fastest century by a batter from Full Member teams, alongside Sikandar Raza's 33-ball hundred against Gambia in 2024

The innings highlighted Allen's reputation as one of the most destructive power-hitters in world cricket.

Fastest fifty in T20 World Cup knockouts

Allen's assault began almost immediately after New Zealand started their chase.

He reached his half-century in just 19 balls, setting a new record for the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup knockout matches.

That effort surpassed several famous innings in tournament history, including Yuvraj Singh's 20-ball fifty against Australia in the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Allen-Seifert partnership sets tournament record

Allen's dominance at the top has also been part of a historic opening partnership with Tim Seifert throughout the tournament.

The duo have now combined for 463 runs in the 2026 edition - the highest partnership aggregate by any pair in a single T20 World Cup.

The record-breaking tally surpasses previous marks set by:

Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) - 446 runs in 2024
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) - 411 runs in 2021
Jos Buttler and Alex Hales (England) - 368 runs in 2022
Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden (Australia) - 335 runs in 2007

Allen has contributed 315 runs in the tournament so far at a strike rate close to 200, while Seifert has added 287 runs.

Crucial 117-run stand in the semi-final

The pair also delivered when it mattered most. Allen and Seifert put together a 117-run opening partnership in the semi-final against South Africa, one of the highest stands in T20 World Cup knockout matches.

That partnership dismantled the Proteas' hopes of defending their total and ranks among the most important stands in tournament knockout history.

With Allen's record-breaking century and the continued dominance of the Allen-Seifert opening pair, New Zealand head into the T20 World Cup final with momentum firmly on their side.