Match Overview

In a thrilling semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the South Africa national cricket team faced off against the New Zealand national cricket team. New Zealand emerged victorious by nine wickets, securing their place in the final.

South Africa’s Innings

South Africa batted first and managed to score 169 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Marco Jansen played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 55 runs off 30 balls, which helped stabilize the innings. Other notable contributions came from Dewald Brevis, who scored 34 runs, and Tristan Stubbs, who added 29 runs to the total.

Bowling Highlights

New Zealand’s bowlers were effective in restricting South Africa’s scoring. Rachin Ravindra took 2 wickets for 29 runs, while Cole McConchie impressed with 2 wickets for just 9 runs. Matt Henry also contributed with 2 wickets for 34 runs.

New Zealand’s Chase

In response, New Zealand chased down the target of 170 runs with remarkable ease. Finn Allen made history by scoring the fastest century in T20 World Cup history, reaching 100 runs in just 33 balls. His explosive innings included 10 fours and 8 sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style.

This victory not only highlights New Zealand’s strength in T20 cricket but also underscores the challenges faced by the South Africa national cricket team, who had previously qualified for the knockout stage from Group 1 with an unbeaten run.

New Zealand’s win was a testament to their strong performance throughout the tournament, and they will now advance to the final, aiming for the championship title.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps for both teams following this match, but the excitement surrounding the final is palpable.

The live telecast of the match was available on the Star Sports Network, allowing fans to witness this thrilling encounter.