T20 World: Allen’s stunning 33-ball 100* powers New Zealand into final

On Saturday, New Zealand had nervously tuned into Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, wondering if they could sneak into the semi-final. Matt Henry was on the way back home from Colombo for the birth of his second child.

New Zealand’s build-up to the semi-final was just as uncertain as they waited anxiously for their bowling spearhead to return.

On Wednesday, their performance in the semi-final was anything but uncertain as they KO’d South Africa, who were unbeaten until this game, and launched New Zealand into their second T20 World Cup final.

After their attack welcomed Henry back and limited South Africa to 169 for 8 on a slower-than-usual Eden Gardens track, Finn Allen took centerstage and crashed a 33-ball century, the fastest ever in a men’s T20 World Cup, to make a mockery of the chase.

Just as Allen was soaking in his century, Tim Seifert, the other half of New Zealand’s Bash Brothers, pumped his fist in the dugout. New Zealand completed the demolition job with nine wickets and more than seven overs to spare. (ESPNcricinfo)