Kolkata’s Eden Gardens witnessed cricketing fireworks as Finn Allen delivered a semi-final masterclass in the T20 World Cup 2026. The New Zealand opener’s unbeaten 100 off 33 deliveries against South Africa not only booked his team’s final spot but also rewrote the record books in spectacular fashion.
Packed with 10 boundaries and 8 towering sixes, Allen’s innings peaked when he hit his 20th six of the tournament, claiming the outright record for most maximums in a single edition. He overtook Hetmyer (19) and Farhan (18), leaving previous holders like Pooran (17 in 2024), Gurbaz (16 in 2024), and Gayle (16 in 2012) in his wake.
This wasn’t just about sixes. Allen’s ton is now the quickest ever in T20 World Cup history, bettering Gayle’s 47-ball effort. In knockout stages, his score tops Dilshan’s 96* from 2009. For New Zealand, he’s the third centurion, after McCullum’s 123 against Bangladesh in 2012 and Phillips’ 104 versus Sri Lanka in 2022.
Match context adds to the drama: South Africa managed 169/8 after being put in to bat. New Zealand’s chase was clinical, with Allen and Seifert (58 off 33) steering them home by 9 wickets in under 13 overs. The victory margin underscored Allen’s dominance, earning him Player of the Match honors in a career-defining outing.