The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed one of the most explosive batting performances in the history of the tournament when Finn Allen smashed the fastest century ever in a T20 World Cup match.
The New Zealand opener achieved this historic milestone during the semi-final against South Africa national cricket team at Eden Gardens. Allen reached his hundred in just 33 balls, breaking a decade-long tournament record and guiding New Zealand to the final.
The innings was filled with aggressive stroke play and fearless hitting, turning a high-pressure knockout game into a one-sided contest.
Allen’s Historic Knock in the Semi-Final
New Zealand were chasing a target of 170 runs in the semi-final. Right from the start, Finn Allen attacked the South African bowlers with aggressive intent.
Along with wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, Allen provided a blazing start. The pair added 84 runs in the powerplay, putting the Proteas bowlers under immense pressure.
Allen reached his half-century in just 19 balls, which was also among the fastest fifties in the 2026 T20 World Cup. After Seifert’s dismissal, Allen continued the attack and brought up his century with a boundary in the 13th over.
His final numbers were remarkable:
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | 100 | 33 | 10 | 8 |
New Zealand chased the target in 12.5 overs, winning the match by 9 wickets and booking a place in the T20 World Cup final.
Match Summary: South Africa vs New Zealand – Semi-Final
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs New Zealand |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| South Africa Score | 169/8 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand Score | 173/1 (12.5 overs) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Finn Allen |
Allen’s performance was not only match-winning but also record-breaking.
Fastest Centuries in T20 World Cup History
Finn Allen’s 33-ball century now stands as the fastest hundred ever scored in a men’s T20 World Cup match.
Top 5 Fastest T20 World Cup Centuries
| Rank | Player | Team | Balls | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finn Allen | New Zealand | 33 | South Africa | Kolkata | 2026 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 47 | England | Mumbai | 2016 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 50 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| 4 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 51 | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 2012 |
| 5 | Harry Brook | England | 51 | Pakistan | Pallekele | 2026 |
Allen’s century broke the long-standing record held by Chris Gayle, who had scored a 47-ball hundred during the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Fastest T20I Hundreds (All Teams)
Allen’s innings also ranks among the fastest centuries in the history of T20 Internationals.
| Player | Balls | Match | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahil Chauhan | 27 | Estonia vs Cyprus | Episkopi | 2024 |
| Muhammad Fahad | 29 | Turkey vs Bulgaria | Sofia | 2025 |
| Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | 33 | Namibia vs Nepal | Kirtipur | 2024 |
| Sikandar Raza | 33 | Zimbabwe vs Gambia | Nairobi | 2024 |
| Finn Allen | 33 | New Zealand vs South Africa | Kolkata | 2026 |
| Kushal Malla | 34 | Nepal vs Mongolia | Hangzhou | 2023 |
| David Miller | 35 | South Africa vs Bangladesh | Potchefstroom | 2017 |
| Rohit Sharma | 35 | India vs Sri Lanka | Indore | 2017 |
| Sudesh Wickramasekara | 36 | Czech Republic vs Turkey | Ilfov County | 2019 |
Among matches between full-member teams, Allen’s century is one of the fastest ever.
Indians in the Fastest T20 World Cup Hundreds List
Only one Indian batter features among the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history.
| Player | Balls | Match | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suresh Raina | 60 | India vs South Africa | 2010 |
Raina’s century remains one of the most memorable knocks in India’s T20 World Cup history.
Why Finn Allen’s Century Was Special
Allen’s innings stands out not only because of the speed but also because of the situation in which it was played.
- It came in a World Cup semi-final.
- It was scored against a top international team.
- The chase was completed in just 12.5 overs.
His fearless batting completely changed the momentum of the match and showed how modern T20 cricket continues to evolve.
The 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final will be remembered for Finn Allen’s remarkable innings. His 33-ball century has now become the benchmark for aggressive batting in the tournament.
With power hitters emerging across teams and scoring rates increasing every year, this record may eventually be challenged. But for now, Finn Allen sits at the top of the list for the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history.
