Finn Allen's 33-ball century sets new T20 World Cup record, surpasses Chris Gayle’s mark as New Zealand reach final

Finn Allen's 33-ball century is also the fastest hundred scored against a Full Member side and stands joint third-fastest across all T20Is.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2026, 22:51:07 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Finn Allen tore into the record books with a breathtaking 33-ball hundred in the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, propelling New Zealand into the title clash. The explosive opener came out swinging and never eased off, peppering the ground with towering sixes and rasping fours that left the bowlers scrambling for answers.

Finn Allen smashed a 33-ball century against South Africa. (Hindustan Times)

Allen needed only 19 balls to bring up his half-century and never lifted his foot off the pedal after that, transforming a potentially tricky chase into a lopsided affair as he surged to a 33-ball hundred. With each passing over, New Zealand’s hold on the match strengthened while he tore into the bowling with audacious, clean hitting.

The 170-run target quickly appeared modest as runs flowed freely from his bat, draining any hope of a comeback well before the innings reached its midpoint. He sealed the night in style, drilling a boundary that also completed his remarkable century. New Zealand wrapped up the chase in just 12.5 overs with 9 wickets in hand, completing an emphatic victory that left their opponents with little room to respond.

The innings now ranks as the fastest century ever recorded in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the 47-ball mark set by Chris Gayle against England at Wankhede Stadium in 2016. Beyond the tournament, it is also the quickest hundred scored against a Full Member side in T20 internationals and stands joint third-fastest across all T20Is. The extraordinary knock places him level with Sikandar Raza, who smashed a 33-ball century against Gambia in Nairobi in 2024, underlining the rarity of such a feat.

Fastest T20I hundreds by balls taken

27 - Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) v Cyprus, Episkopi, 2024

29 - Muhammad Fahad (Turkey) v Bulgaria, Sofia, 2025

33 - Finn Allen (NZ) vs SA, Kolkata, 2026

33 - Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (NAM) vs NEP, Kirtipur, 2024

33 - Sikandar Raza (ZIM) v Gambia, Nairobi, 2024

Allen shared a 117-run stand with his opening partner, Tim Seifert, to set up the foundation of the chase in an emphatic style, which completely blew away the Porteas pacers. Seifert scored 55 runs off 33 balls.

Also Read - Harry Brook calls India semifinal a ‘dream come true’, says 'England don’t need perfect game in T20 World Cup'

Century stands in T20 World Cup knockouts

170* - Jos Buttler, Alex Hales (ENG) vs IND, Adelaide, 2022 SF

117 - Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (NZ) vs SA, Kolkata, 2026 SF

111 - Craig Kieswetter, Kevin Pietersen (ENG), Bridgetown, 2010 Final

105 - Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) vs NZ, Sydney, 2022 SF

New Zealand will play either India or England, who face each other on Thursday in Mumbai, in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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