SA vs NZ Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Final: Finn Allen Smashes Fastest T20 WC Ton To Take Kiwis Into Final

That's some astounding hitting by Finn Allen. He takes Marco Jansen for 24-runs to get to a 33-ball hundred and take New Zealand into the final. The flamboyant opener slammed 10 fours and 8 sixes in his century to get him team over the line in style. New Zealand beat South Africa by 9 wickets with a staggering 43 balls to spare.

South Africa finally gets the first wicket as Kagiso Rabada castles Tim Siefert's stumps but it's too little too late as New Zealand now need just 46 runs off last 10 overs with 9 wickets in hand.

Finn Allen takes Corbin Bosch for 22 runs in the last over of the powerplay to take South Africa's score to 84 runs in the powerplay. He hits four boundaries and a six to make short work of the chase. Both the batter have really take the sting out of the chase.

Tim Siefert and Finn Allen have got New Zealand off to a blistering start. Both the batter have taken their chances and smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. Fin Allen's last ball ramp six to Lungi Ngidi sums up the kind of start NZ have got.

It's been a dramatic start to the New Zealand's chase so far, consisting of some cheeky boundaries and a missed opportunity by Quinton de Kock. So, far it's been a good start but things could change anytime in the T20 format.

That was a superb last over by Matt Henry, giving just 6 runs and taking two wickets to restrict South Africa to just 169/8 in 20 overs. Marco Jansen turned out to be the saviour for the Proteas, slamming 30-ball 55 and forging a crucial 73-run sixth wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs (29) to take his team to a competitive total.

The 6th wicket stand between Tristab Stubbs (18*) and Marco Jansen (29*) is going from strength to strength. Both the batter have put on an unbeaten 51-run stand and took out South Africa from a precarious position. The Proteas would like both the batter to play the last three overs and take their side to a strong score.

South Africa are five wickets down with Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen battling it hard in the middle to forge a partnership on a slow track. Both the batter have stitched an unbeaten 24-run stand between the two but the Proteas would need them to go as long as possible at a brisk speed to get them to a decent total.

That's a huge blow for South Africa as they lose two quick wickets in the form of David Miller and Dewald Brevis. Rachin Ravindra gets David Miller, while Jimmy Neesham dismisses the dangerous Dewald Brevis. The Proteas are five down as Marco Jansen makes his way in the middle to join Tristan Stubbs.

Just as it was looking that South Africa are clawing back into the game Rachin Ravindra, who has been the golden arm for NZ throughout the tournament has got the big wicket of Aiden Markram. It was a flighted delivery asking Markram to take it on and the Proteas skipper gets caught in the trap and hands a diving catch to the long on fielder.

After a shaky start, the Proteas have made a decent comeback with an unbeaten 36-run stand between Aiden Markram (16*) and Dewald Brevis (15*). Both the batter have maintained a positive intent despite early jitters and have taken on the bad balls quite well.

The match up works and South Africa are in trouble at the Eden Gardens. Mitchell Santner brings in Cole McConchie as a matchup for Quinton de Kock and the Proteas batters falls into the trap. After a lofted boundary down the ground, tries to pull him from backfoot, but the connection gets mis executed with the ball landing gently in the hands of the mid-on fielder. Next ball, Ryan Rickelton goes for a cut and only could slice it to the hands of point. Two wickets in two balls and New Zealand are flying.

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock are out on the pitch and they are assessing the conditions before going hard on the New Zealand bowlers. New Zealand are playing one extra spinner and have a seamer less. They will look to capitalise on it.

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

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Matches played: 19

South Africa wins: 12

New Zealand wins: 7

Tied/No Result: 0

SA win percentage: 63%

South Africa - Topped the group by winning all the three Super Eight games with 6 points

New Zealand - Finished second in the Group with 3 points with one win and loss, while one match got washed out.

The semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on the Jio Hotstar app. The live action will begin from 7:00 PM IST, while the toss will take place at 6:30.

The weather in Kolkata for the semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand is pleasant today with little to no prediction of rain.

South Africa: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith

New Zealand: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway

Match: South Africa vs New Zealand, Semi-Final 1

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Date: March 4, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM IST

Happy Holi! We are here to make the auspicious even more special with the live coverage of the semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Stay tuned for the live score and play-by-play updates of the match.