T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa vs New Zealand, 1st Semi-Final – Full highlights, top moments & winner details

Top Batting performance of the match – Finn Allen

Right-handed opener Finn Allen produced one of the most explosive knocks in the history of the tournament. Chasing 170, the New Zealander tore into the Proteas attack, racing to a 19-ball fifty, the fastest ever by a BlackCaps player in a Men’s T20 World Cup, surpassing Glenn Phillips’ previous 22-ball record. Allen eventually brought up a b century in just 33 balls, the fastest in the tournament’s history, beating Chris Gayle’s 47-ball landmark in 2016. Laced with 10 fours and eight sixes, Allen remained unbeaten to seal a dominant nine-wicket win.

Top Bowling performance of the match – Cole McConchie

Cole McConchie delivered a dream spell against South Africa. Introduced early, the off-spinner struck twice in consecutive deliveries to leave South Africa struggling at 12 for 2. He first removed Quinton de Kock, who attempted to premeditate a pull after stepping away. McConchie cleverly dragged his length back, forcing a mistimed hit that went straight to mid-on. The very next ball, he dismissed Ryan Rickelton for a golden duck. Bowling short and wide, as the southpaw tempted the cut, only for himself to slice it straight to backward point.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen’s 73-run stand is South Africa’s highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20Is, surpassing the previous 71-run record.
• The same 73-run partnership is also South Africa’s highest for the sixth wicket in Men’s T20 World Cup history, breaking the earlier mark of 69.
• The 73-run stand is South Africa’s highest sixth-wicket (or lower) partnership in all T20Is.
• Finn Allen now holds the record for most sixes (26) in a Men’s T20 World Cup edition for New Zealand.
• Allen’s eight sixes in the semi-final are the most in a Men’s T20 World Cup innings for New Zealand.
• His 88 runs in boundaries are the most by a New Zealand batter in a T20 World Cup innings.
• Allen’s 33-ball century is the fastest in Men’s T20 World Cup history, eclipsing Chris Gayle’s 47-ball record (2016).
• The 33-ball ton is New Zealand’s fastest in all T20Is, surpassing Glenn Phillips’ previous 46-ball record.
• It is also the fastest T20I hundred against a Full Member nation and joint third-fastest overall in T20Is.
• Allen’s 19-ball fifty is New Zealand’s fastest in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
• The 117-run stand between Allen and Tim Seifert is the second-highest century partnership in a T20 World Cup knockout.
• Allen and Seifert became the fifth pair to register multiple century stands in a single T20 World Cup edition.
• Their 463-run aggregate is the highest partnership tally in a T20 World Cup edition.
• Marco Jansen conceded 53 runs — the most by a South African in a Men’s T20 World Cup innings.
• Aiden Markram became South Africa’s most-capped Men’s T20 World Cup captain (17 matches).
• Jansen became only the second player to score 50-plus from No.7 or lower in a T20 World Cup knockout.
• South Africa’s 73-run sixth-wicket stand is the second-highest 50-plus partnership for sixth wicket or lower in T20 World Cup playoffs.
• New Zealand recorded the highest-ever powerplay total in a T20 World Cup knockout, surpassing England’s 67/0 in 2016.
• It was also New Zealand’s highest powerplay score in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
• New Zealand spinners’ 4/63 in nine overs marked their best bowling returns in India during this tournament.

Who was the Player of the Match?

New Zealand’s Finn Allen was the Player of the Match in the first semi-final against South Africa. The opener scored an unbeaten ton, and along with his partner Tim Seifert took the team to the Finals. Allen laced his knock with 10 boundaries and eight sixes, striking at 303.03. Notably, with this knock, he now holds the record for the fastest century in the history of the T20 World Cup.

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