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T20 World Cup 1st semi-final SA vs NZ: NZ into final after Allen's record ton

Wed, 04 March 2026

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21:59

NZ into final after Allen's record ton

NZ 173-1 (12.5 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Allen is okay to continue. Keshav Maharaj continues, and Rachin Ravindra jabs towards midwicket -- no run. He nudges the next delivery back to the bowler, then cuts one towards long-off for a single. Finn Allen is in destructive mode -- smashing a boundary followed by an even bigger six. A single ends the over. Twelve runs come off it. After 12 overs, New Zealand are 149/1, needing 21 from 48 balls.

Markram chats with his bowler, but Jansen continues. Allen welcomes him with back-to-back boundaries. Despite all the discussions, the boundaries keep flowing. He slams a huge six and is now on 90 off just 31 balls. Six more! On 96, Allen needs just a boundary to reach a remarkable century and take his team into the final. Wow! Boundary!

Finn Allen brings up his 100 off just 33 balls -- the fastest T20 World Cup century ever!

With that, New Zealand win by 9 wickets with 43 balls to spare and march into the final in style.

21:47

Ravindra, Allen keep NZ in charge

NZ 137-1 (11 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Corbin Bosch returns to the attack. Rachin Ravindra welcomes him with a crisp boundary, then jabs the next delivery towards long-on for no run. The batters rotate strike with a single each. Allen finishes the over in style, smashing a towering six!

13 come off the over. After 11 overs, New Zealand are 137/1, needing 33 from 54 balls.

Allen receives treatment.

21:44

Fifty for Allen, Seifert falls

NZ 124-1 (10 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Keshav Maharaj continues. Allen welcomes him with a boundary. Then comes a single and with that, he brings up his fifty. It's the joint-fastest fifty of the tournament.

Finn Allen now holds the fastest T20 World Cup fifty for New Zealand, surpassing the 22-ball effort by Glenn Phillips against Canada earlier in the competition. And he's not done yet -- Allen rocks back and launches one for six. Fourteen runs come off the over. After 9 overs, New Zealand are 117/0.

Kagiso Rabada into the attack. That's OUT! Bowled! Too little, too late from Rabada -- the damage has already been done. Tim Seifert departs for a brilliant 58 off 33 balls.

Rachin Ravindra is the new batter at the crease.

Rachin Ravindra opens with a solid drive to mid-off -- no run. He picks up a single off the next ball. Finn Allen rotates strike with a single as well.

Ravindra then slams a boundary and follows it up with a single to keep the momentum.

Seven runs and a wicket come off the over.

After 10 overs, New Zealand are 124/1, needing 46 from 60 balls.

21:33

Seifert smashes 28-ball 50

NZ 103-0 (8 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Keshav Maharaj is brought into the attack. Seifert drives the first ball to long-on for no run. Cuts the next through covers -- again denied. But Maharaj drops short and Seifert pounces, hammering it for four. He makes room next ball and takes a single to move to 46 off 25. Allen nudges one to long-on for a single, and another single ends the over.

Seven runs from it. After 7 overs, New Zealand are 91/0, needing 79 from 78 balls.

Lungi Ngidi returns to the attack. Seifert works the first ball to long-on -- Jansen misfields, and they get two. It's simply not South Africa's night in the field. Seifert then slams a boundary to bring up a superb fifty off just 28 balls -- 6 fours and 2 sixes. He is completely in control of this innings and this chase. A single follows, then a leg-bye. Allen picks up a single to deep point. Seifert finishes the over with another crisp boundary, finding the gap perfectly. A dot ball ends it.

12 runs come off the over. After 8 overs, New Zealand are 103/0, needing 67 from 72 balls.

21:24

Allen blitz powers NZ

NZ 84-0 (6 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Corbin Bosch to close out the Powerplay. He starts short and wide and Finn Allen welcomes him with a towering six. Allen is in destructive mode, dealing in boundaries.

Four in a row! Back-to-back boundaries as New Zealand seize complete control. What an over this is turning out to be for the Kiwis. Bosch digs in a sharp bouncer to finish, but the damage is already done.

A massive 22 runs come off the over. At the end of the Powerplay, New Zealand are 84/0, needing 86 from 84 balls.

21:20

Seifert, Allen tear into SA attack

NZ 62-0 (5 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Lungi Ngidi is brought into the attack. He starts full on middle and leg, and Seifert flicks it towards mid-wicket. It's not a clean stop from Rabada, allowing the batters to run three. A quick single follows, before a couple of solid defensive shots. Seifert nudges one towards long-on for another run. Allen drives towards point but can't pierce the field. He makes amends in style, finishing the over with a towering six.

Eleven runs come off it. After four overs, New Zealand are 48/0.

Rabada continues. Seifert flicks one towards mid-wicket and picks up three more, with Bosch forced into a long chase. Allen guides a single to backward point. Rabada overpitches, but Seifert can only slash it straight to mid-off -- no run. Next ball disappears -- a massive six! He follows it up with a boundary, piling the pressure on South Africa. Rabada responds brilliantly with a pinpoint yorker and ends the over with a dot ball.

14 runs from it. After five overs, New Zealand are 62/0, needing 108 from 90 balls.

21:10

Seifert goes big

NZ 37-0 (3 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Jansen continues. Finn Allen launches a massive six to start the over and follows it up with a single. There's a loud appeal from de Kock and the South Africans for a catch behind, but the umpire isn't interested. Markram opts for a review. UltraEdge shows nothing -- an excellent decision as there's no contact. Seifert had swung hard across the line and missed. Seifert then turns the heat on -- smashing a towering six and backing it up with a crisp boundary. The pitch is looking even better for batting now. He finishes the over with a single.

18 runs come off it. After three overs, New Zealand are 37/0.

21:04

De Kock drops Seifert

NZ 19-0 (2 Ovs) vs SA 169-8 | SCORECARD

Marco Jansen has the new ball. Tim Seifert is on strike, with Finn Allen at the non-striker's end. Jansen begins with a good-length delivery, and Seifert watchfully knocks it towards mid-wicket -- no run. He then opens up, slamming one through cover-point for a crisp boundary. Next ball is hit hard but straight to mid-off -- no run. Seifert works one towards deep mid-wicket for a couple. Edged' but safe! South Africa don't have a third slip in place, and the ball races away for four more. Seifert follows it up with a single towards third man.

Eleven runs come off the first over. After one over, New Zealand are 11/0.

Kagiso Rabada operates from the other end.

Seifert pushes the first ball but cant find a run. He then miscues one high into the night sky -- dropped! Quinton de Kock calls for it but fails to hold on. Brevis was closer and might have had a better chance. A huge let-off for New Zealand.

Finn Allen gets off the mark in style with a boundary and follows it up with a single. Seifert skies another one, but it lands safely once again -- he survives.

Eight runs come off the over. After two overs, New Zealand are 19/0, needing 151 from 108 balls.

20:45

NZ restrict SA to 169-8

SA 169-8 (20 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Matt Henry to bowl the final over. He starts with a short and wide delivery -- Corbin Bosch manages just a single. Jansen looks to swing hard but can only pick up one. He eyes a second run but wisely decides against the risk. Jansen swings and misses next ball.

Henry then sprays one too wide -- called a wide. Yorker! Bowled! Bosch swings across the line and misses completely. The stumps are shattered. He departs for 2 off 3 balls.

Kagiso Rabada walks in with three balls remaining. Rabada chips his first ball straight to the fielder -- Jimmy Neesham makes no mistake. Two in two for Henry!

Keshav Maharaj is the new batter. He works one towards point for a single. Jansen faces the final ball. He squeezes out a single -- they push hard and come back for two.

An excellent final over from Henry -- just six runs and two wickets from it. After 20 overs, South Africa finish on 169/8.

20:36

Stubbs departs, 50 for Jansen

SA 163-6 (19 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Lockie Ferguson returns to bowl the penultimate over and strikes immediately! He crashes one through the defences, rattling the stumps. Stubbs is bowled. A crucial breakthrough at the death as Stubbs departs for 29 off 24 balls.

Corbin Bosch walks in as the new batter and gets off the mark with a single.

Jansen is beaten by pace next ball but responds in stunning fashion! Back-to-back sixes! That brings up a sensational fifty off just 27 balls.

What an innings from Jansen -- pure power and composure under pressure. Take a bow!

The over ends with a dot ball.

Thirteen runs and a wicket come off it. After 19 overs, South Africa are 163/6.

20:32

Jansen, Stubbs' late onslaught

SA 150-5 (18 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Matt Henry returns to the attack. Stubbs drives towards long-on for a single. Henry strays down the leg side -- wide called. Jansen capitalises, smashing a towering six into the stands. He follows it up with a single. Stubbs joins the charge, cracking a boundary. Henry fires in a yorker, but Stubbs squeezes out a single. Jansen flicks towards point for a quick run to close the over.

A big one for South Africa -- 15 runs come off it. After 17 overs, they are 128/5.

Jimmy Neesham comes back. Jansen drives for a single before Stubbs launches a boundary. Next ball -- even bigger! A monstrous six as South Africa shift gears dramatically. Neesham nails a yorker, but Stubbs still manages a single. Jansen then finds the boundary as the keeper fails to stop it. Jansen skies the next one -- Matt Henry takes the catch, but he's stepped beyond the rope! It's ruled a six.

A massive over -- 22 runs from it. After 18 overs, South Africa are 150/5.

20:21

SA struggle to accelerate

SA 113-5 (16 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Lockie Ferguson returns to the attack. Jansen and Stubbs continue to deal in singles, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Ferguson oversteps -- the no-ball siren goes off. He responds with a sharp bouncer to finish the over. Seven runs come off it. After 15 overs, South Africa are 108/5.

Santner continues, and South Africa know they must accelerate. Stubbs cuts to cover for a single. Santner keeps it tight, giving the batters very little room. Jansen blocks the next delivery before Santner fires one too wide. Jansen works one through the leg side for a single. Stubbs swings and misses. Another wide follows from Santner. Stubbs then drives for a single to end the over. Five runs come off it.

After 16 overs, South Africa are 113/5.

20:13

100 comes up for SA

SA 101-5 (14 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Rachin Ravindra continues. Stubbs pulls towards long-on for a single. Jansen then goes big -- launching a towering six to shift the momentum. He follows it up with a single to keep the strike moving. Stubbs defends one solidly before punching through cover for a run. Jansen closes the over with another single.

Ten runs come off it. After 14 overs, South Africa are 101/5. Drinks break.

20:11

SA crumbling, 5 down

SA 91-5 (13 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Jimmy Neesham returns to the attack. Brevis initially drives one back to the bowler, but then tries to chip it over cover -- taken! Caught by Mitchell Santner! A soft dismissal at a crucial stage. South Africa are now five down as Brevis departs for 34 off 27 balls.

Marco Jansen walks in as the new batter. The pair manage to rotate strike with a few singles. Three runs and a big wicket come off the over.

After 11 overs, South Africa are 80/5.

Rachin Ravindra continues, with Jansen and Stubbs content to deal in singles. The pair rotate strike steadily, but New Zealand keep things tight.

Just four runs come off the over. After 12 overs, South Africa are 84/5.

Santner continues.

Stubbs punches one towards extra cover but finds no run, before picking up a single off the next delivery. The batters exchange singles to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Jansen then breaks the shackles, smashing a welcome boundary to ease the pressure.

Seven runs come off the over. After 13 overs, South Africa are 91/5.

19:53

Rachin strikes again, SA 4 down

SA 77-4 (10 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Santner continues. Brevis goes big -- launching a massive six straight into the stands. He then makes room and cuts towards deep point for a single. Miller rotates strike as well with a single. Santner rolls in a slower one, which Brevis leaves alone, before picking up another single off the next ball. Miller finishes the over with one more run.

Ten runs come off it. After nine overs, South Africa are 67/3.

Rachin Ravindra continues. Miller mistimes one high towards deep cover -- dropped! Glenn Phillips runs to his left, gets his body behind it but fails to hold on while on the move. The ball hits his body and spills out. Miller survives. He collects a single off the next delivery. Brevis responds in style -- smashing a towering one-handed six. He then drives the following ball straight back to the bowler before cutting to point for a single. But Ravindra has the last word! Miller is out -- caught by Daryl Mitchell! He departs for 6 off 6 balls.

Ten runs and a wicket come from the over. At the halfway mark, South Africa are 77/4.

19:44

Markram departs, Rachin makes amends

SA 57-3 (8 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Skipper Mitchell Santner brings himself into the attack. Brevis taps the first ball towards point -- no run. He then makes room and punches one from middle stump to cover, again finding the fielder. Brevis finally breaks the quiet spell with a slog towards long-on for a single. Markram looks to flick but the ball deflects off his pads -- leg bye signalled. Brevis makes room once more and sneaks a single as Santner fails to cut it off. Markram closes the over with another single. Just four runs from it. After seven overs, South Africa are 52/2.

Change in bowling again -- Rachin Ravindra is introduced. Markram leaves the first delivery and is then beaten by the next.

There's a brief pause in play due to a malfunctioning bail. Play resumes.

Markram cuts towards long-on for a single. Brevis makes room and collects one as well. In the air' and taken! Has Daryl Mitchell held on? The umpire sends it upstairs. After a review, the third umpire confirms: 'Fingers are underneath.' It's out! Aiden Markram departs for 18 off 21 balls -- a huge moment in the game.

Ravindra makes amends for the earlier dropped chance as New Zealand strike again.

David Miller walks in as the new batter and gets off the mark straightaway with a single. Brevis rotates strike as well, closing the over with one of his own.

Five runs and a crucial wicket come off the over. After eight overs, South Africa are 57/3.

19:32

Markram, Brevis counterattack

SA 48-2 (6 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Another change in the attack -- Jimmy Neesham comes on. Brevis nudges one towards cover for a single. Neesham then drifts one down the leg side -- called wide. Markram punches towards cover but finds no run. Then comes the big hit! Markram launches a mighty six into the stands and follows it up with a single. Brevis joins the party, threading the gap beautifully as the ball races away for four. Brilliant from Brevis -- back-to-back boundaries!

17 runs come off the over. After five overs, South Africa are 45/2.

Ferguson continues. Markram drives for a quick single. Brevis is beaten by pace next ball and then works one towards mid-wicket. Another delivery slides down the leg side -- wide called. Brevis cuts hard for a single. He was slightly off balance, punching it square on the off side. Oh dear! The ball hits off the keeper's gloves and smashes into his face. He looks hurt -- that unexpected break in play might just disrupt South Africa's momentum.

Just three runs come off the over. At the end of the Powerplay, South Africa are 48/2.

19:23

Rachin drops Markram

SA 28-2 (4 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Matt Henry continues, with a slip in place for Markram. The South African skipper drives towards cover but finds no run. Henry then bangs one in short -- Markram swings, the keeper can't reach it, and it's called a wide as the ball races away to the boundary. Markram has another wild swing and misses, but manages to pick up a single off the next delivery. Brevis stays watchful, defending the remainder of the over. Six runs come off it. After three overs, South Africa are 22/2.

Change in the attack -- Lockie Ferguson comes on. Markram jabs one towards long-on but can't get a run. He then skips down the track and swings through thin air. Dropped! Markram goes for the flick, but Rachin at mid-wicket puts it down -- a huge let-off for South Africa. Markram makes New Zealand pay immediately, crunching the next ball for a boundary. He follows it up with a single to mid-on, and Brevis closes the over with one of his own. Just six runs from the over.

After four overs, South Africa are 28/2.

19:13

McConchie strikes twice in 2 balls

SA 16-2 (2 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Cole McConchie is introduced early into the attack, and New Zealand turn to spin. Markram eases him away towards long-on for a single.

De Kock initially plays one straight back to the bowler before upping the tempo with a crisp boundary. But the breakthrough comes soon after! Quinton de Kock is out -- caught by Lockie Ferguson! He departs for 10 off 8 balls, giving New Zealand an early wicket.

Ryan Rickelton walks in as the new batter.

Ryan Rickelton is out -- caught by Finn Allen! He can't believe it as he walks back in disbelief.

Cole McConchie is on fire -- his eyes light up as he celebrates. Two wickets in two balls! New Zealand seize complete control.

Dewald Brevis walks in as the new batter and gets off the mark in fortunate fashion -- a thick outside edge flies past the slips and races away to the boundary for four.

Its been an eventful start. Two wickets have fallen, but nine runs came off the over.

After two overs, South Africa are 16/2.

19:05

SA off to a good start

SA 7-0 (1 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock walk out to the middle, with Markram taking strike. Matt Henry has the new ball in hand for New Zealand.

Markram gets South Africa underway, neatly flicking the first scoring shot through mid-wicket for a single to open his account.

De Kock is beaten outside off by a probing delivery from Henry. He then nudges one towards mid-wicket but finds no run. Another dot follows as Henry keeps things tight early on.

But De Kock breaks the shackles in style -- launching a massive six that sails deep into the stands. The over ends with a dot ball.

After the first over, South Africa are 7/0.

19:05

SA off to a good start

SA 7-0 (1 Ovs) vs NZ | SCORECARD

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock walk out to the middle, with Markram taking strike. Matt Henry has the new ball in hand for New Zealand.

Markram gets South Africa underway, neatly flicking the first scoring shot through mid-wicket for a single to open his account.

De Kock is beaten outside off by a probing delivery from Henry. He then nudges one towards mid-wicket but finds no run. Another dot follows as Henry keeps things tight early on.

But De Kock breaks the shackles in style -- launching a massive six that sails deep into the stands. The over ends with a dot ball.

After the first over, South Africa are 7/0.

18:40

Here are the playing XIs

Here are the playing XIs

New Zealand: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

South Africa: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

18:37

NZ opt to bowl vs SA

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first, backing the surface after what they observed earlier at the venue.

'We're going to have a bowl. The pitch looked pretty good the other night. We know they're a great outfit, so we've got to be on our game. We need to do our thing, put them under pressure and see what happens,' Santner said.

He confirmed that Matt Henry has recovered in time and returns to the XI, while Jimmy Neesham comes in for Ish Sodhi.

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram remained confident despite being asked to bat first.

'Everyone has contributed at some stage, which is really pleasing. Hopefully, we can start well with the bat and put a good score on the board,' Markram said.

The Proteas have made three changes, with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj coming back into the side.

17:36

Will SA-NZ turn Eden Gardens into a run-fest?

Hello and welcome to the coverage of the first semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand at the Eden Garden in Kolkata.

South African skipper Aiden Markram will be asked probing questions by his New Zealand counterpart Mitchell Santner in what promises to be an intriguing battle between two incredibly talented captains.

Not often does one find that captains of either side end up being the most prolific performers and Markram vs Santner will be such battle that would keep the near capacity crowd at the Eden Gardens on the edge. The ICC event rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa reached its peak during the 50-over World Cup semifinal in 2015 when the Black Caps edged out the Proteas in a nail-biting showdown with likes of Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers left scarred for life.

However, South Africa, under the tutelage of Shukri Conrad, has developed into a menacing side, having already won the World Test Championship last year showing steely resolve.

While they haven't won a major white-ball trophy so far, the infamous chokers' tag isn't a part of their cricketing dictionary anymore.

At the core of this battle are the two captains, not often the most celebrated or talked about but tactically and technically much better than all those who are feted way more.

Markram, with a strike rate of 175 plus and 268 runs, has had a devastating effect on rival bowlers during the Powerplay overs while Santner, with an economy rate of 6.35, has kept the batters tied in knots.

The Proteas, with a power-hitting line-up comprising Markram, Quinton De Kock, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller and Marco Jansen, can give any team sleepless nights.

But Santner has quite a few part-time spin options Rachin Ravindra (9 wickets at an economy rate of less than seven), Glenn Phillips, Cole McConchie, who have all performed in unison.

Save for India, this is be the best spin attack that Proteas would face in the tournament although England with Liam Dawson and Rehan Ahmed wasn't bad either.What New Zealand lack is a quality wrist spinner to challenge South Africa as Ish Sodhi hasn't exactly been great in the few games that he has played so far.On a belter of an Eden Gardens track, South Africa would like to chase against a New Zealand line up which played its Super 8s games on the slow pitches in Sri Lanka.

The batting-friendly pitch at Eden will allow Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell to at least think of a 200-plus total that would give them a chance to challenge the Proteas.

One interesting aspect would be how effective Lungi Ngidi's slower deliveries are on this track and if his wide yorkers and slow leg cutters can keep the Black Cap batters at bay.

For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson's first spell could decide the fate of the clash.

In all the first semi-final has the perfect ingredients for a thriller between two power packed teams of the World Cup.

T20 World Cup 1st semi-final SA vs NZ: NZ into final after Allen's record ton

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