T20 World Cup 2026: CHOKERS AGAIN! New Zealand stun undefeated South Africa to reach final

New Zealand made light work of undefeated South Africa to reach their second T20 World Cup final as they got the better of the Proteas in the first semifinal on Wednesday (Mar 4). Playing at the Eden Gardens, New Zealand beat South Africa by nine wickets in a one-sided contest. New Zealand will now play against the winner of India and England on Sunday as they try to win their maiden World Cup.

Allen runs riot

Chasing 170 to win the first semi-final, Allen hit an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls, to obliterate the previous mark of 47 balls by Chris Gayle, as New Zealand raced home with 7.1 overs to spare. Allen went on a rampage as he finished with two fours, two sixes and a four off successive balls to hit the winning runs and reach his hundred with a roar of delight at Eden Gardens.

Tim Seifert hit 58 in a 117-run opening stand with Allen off just 9.1 overs to set up the victory romp. Seifert hit two sixes and seven fours while Allen bludgeoned eight sixes and 10 fours in a brutal display of controlled power hitting.

"Obviously, we wanted to start looking straight and obviously try and put them on the back foot early," said Allen.

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"I think it's easy for me when Timmy's (Seifert) going like that, I can kind of just watch and then hit it when it's in my area and just try and give him the strike."

New Zealand, whoedged into the semi-finals on net run rate but are seeking a first World Cup title, will play either India or England in Sunday's final in Ahmedabad. Spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie took two wickets each to restrict South Africa to 169-8 after New Zealand elected to field first. The 2024 runners-up South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, had been unbeaten in seven matches but slumped to 77-5 before Marco Jansen hit an unbeaten 55 to give the total some respect.

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What happened in South Africa innings?

Spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie earlier took two wickets each before Tristan Stubbs (29) and Jansen put on 73 for South Africa. Jansen hit two fours and five sixes in his 30-ball knock. McConchie struck first in the second over with his off-spin to send back Quinton De Kock for 10 and Ryan Rickelton next ball, but Dewald Brevis avoided the hat-trick. Left-arm spinner Ravindra had Markram caught in the deep by Daryl Mitchell for 18.

David Miller fell for six to Ravindra five balls later, with Mitchell again taking the catch at long-on. South Africa had lost half their side in 10.2 overs when Jimmy Neesham cut short Brevis's knock on 34. Ferguson bowled Stubbs but Jansen hit him for six to reach his fifty. Pace bowler Matt Henry, who arrived back only on Tuesday night after going home for the birth of his child, took 2-34.

"I think you look at conditions early and they bowled really well up front," said Markram.

"Ball didn't quite feel like coming on, some were just stopping on the wicket and some were hitting quite low on the bat and they made scoring really tough."