Kolkata, March 4 New Zealand's opener, Finn Allen, smashed a brilliant unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls to lead his team to the T20 World Cup final as they thrashed South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final here on Wednesday.
Allen hit 10 fours and eight sixes in his innings, while his opening partner, Tim Seifert, scored 58, as New Zealand dominated the South African bowlers to chase down the 170-run target with 43 balls to spare.
Kagiso Rabada (1/28) was the only wicket-taker for South Africa.
Earlier, Marco Jansen scored a brilliant 55 not out in a spirited late-innings effort to help South Africa reach 169 for 8 after being asked to bat.
Jansen hit two fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 30-ball knock to revive South Africa's innings after they had been reduced to 77 for 5 in the 11th over.
Dewald Brevis contributed 34, while Tristan Stubbs scored 29.
Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, and Matt Henry took two wickets apiece for New Zealand.
Brief Scores:
South Africa: 169/8 in 20 overs (Marco Jansen 55 not out, Dewald Brevis 34; Rachin Ravindra 2/29, Cole McConchie 2/9, Matt Henry 2/34).
New Zealand: 173/1 in 12.5 overs (Finn Allen 100 not out, Tim Seifert 58).
