Allen’s record ton rockets New Zealand through

Mar.04 (Mirror Sports) - Finn Allen smashed the fastest century in T20 World Cup history as New Zealand national cricket team crushed the South Africa national cricket team by nine wickets in their semi-final at Eden Gardens.

Chasing 170, Allen blasted an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls — shattering Chris Gayle’s previous 47-ball record — as New Zealand romped home with 7.1 overs to spare. The opener hammered eight sixes and 10 fours in a breathtaking display of power hitting.

Tim Seifert provided perfect support, striking 58 in a rapid 117-run opening stand that blew the game open inside 10 overs. Kagiso Rabada claimed the only wicket, but the damage had long been done.

Earlier, spinners Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie grabbed two wickets each to restrict South Africa to 169-8 after captain Mitchell Santner elected to field. Despite a fighting unbeaten 55 from Marco Jansen and 29 from Tristan Stubbs, the Proteas — previously unbeaten in the tournament — collapsed to 77-5 before recovering late.

New Zealand, who scraped into the semi-finals on net run rate, now march into the final where they will face either India or England in Sunday’s title clash in Ahmedabad — chasing their first-ever T20 World Cup crown.

A statement win. A record-breaking knock. A final awaits.