In the current T20 World Cup 2026, a shocking moment has been seen just before the final. New Zealand’s explosive opener Finn Allen has issued a stern warning to England and India after playing one of the most destructive innings in the history of the T20 World Cup.
As the world now waits to see whether India or England will join New Zealand in the title clash, Finn Allen has made it clear that the Kiwis are not worried about the opponent. His fearless message has already set the stage for the big T20 World Cup 2026 final in Kolkata on March 8.
Finn Allen takes New Zealand to the final of T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand produced a brilliant performance to defeat South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where Allen launched a ferocious attack to take his team to the final after Pakistan’s narrow win over Sri Lanka.
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Chasing 170, Allen destroyed the South African bowling attack with fearless hitting. The right-handed batsman hit boundaries all around the ground and reached a breathtaking century in just 33 balls. This is now the fastest century scored in the history of T20 World Cup.
Allen’s innings included ten fours and eight sky-scraping sixes as the Proteas bowlers had no answer to his aggressive onslaught. He raced from 76 to 100 in just a few balls and completed the chase in just 12.5 overs, leaving South Africa completely stunned as New Zealand booked their place in the final in dominant fashion on 4 March.
Finn Allen sent a bold message before the title match
After the match, Allen made it clear that the Black Caps are only focused on playing fearless cricket in the final when asked who they would like to face in the title clash – India or England.
“It will be a final, so it doesn’t matter who gets to it. We have to play our best cricket. You take positives from the game and celebrate a bit, but on Sunday you have to look forward to the final,” Allen said on Stars Sports.
Question – India or England? Who would you like to face in the finals?
Finn Allen – This will be the final, so it doesn’t matter who gets through. We have to play our best cricket. (Star Sports). pic.twitter.com/c2RF7zvQdA
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 4 March 2026
Finn Allen destroys all records during semi-final vs South Africa
Meanwhile, Finn Allen set several records during the historic night. Allen scored a breathtaking century in just 33 balls, which is the fastest century so far in the tournament. The previous record was in the name of Chris Gayle, who completed his century in 47 balls in 2016.
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The New Zealand opener’s innings was also the first century scored in a T20 World Cup knockout match. The previous best innings in the semi-finals was Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten 96 in 2009. He also broke another big record.
His century off 33 balls became the fastest T20I century against a full-member international team, surpassing the 35-ball mark shared by Rohit Sharma and David Miller.
At the same time, Allen equaled the world record of 33 balls made by Sikandar Raza. He also became the first player to score a T20I century at Eden Gardens. He hit eight sixes, the most by any New Zealand batsman in an innings of the T20 World Cup.
With 20 sixes in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, the Kiwi batsman has become the player to hit the most number of sixes in this edition, surpassing Shimron Hetmyer. Allen’s century also became New Zealand’s fastest T20I century, breaking Glenn Phillips’ previous record of 46 balls.