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Finn Allen’s 33-ball 100* led Latest Zealand to the T20 World Cup final, beating South Africa. He credited a series against India for his or her performance and praised Tim Seifert’s role.
![New Zealand batter Finn Allen [AP Photo]](https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2021/07/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&width=400&height=225 "New Zealand batter Finn Allen [AP Photo]"){kind=logo}
Latest Zealand batter Finn Allen [AP Photo]
Finn Allen, the explosive Latest Zealand opener, credited a five-match series against India on similar black soil surfaces prior to the T20 World Cup for his or her stellar performance. Allen’s remarkable 33-ball 100 not out propelled Latest Zealand to the T20 World Cup final with a nine-wicket victory over South Africa on Wednesday.
Lighting up Eden Gardens, Allen decimated the South African bowling attack with towering sixes and superb boundaries, helping Latest Zealand chase down 170 in only 12.5 overs, clinching victory with 43 balls to spare.
“It was a particularly impressive start from our bowlers — they set the sport up for us, needless to say,” Allen remarked within the post-match media session.
“On a surface like that, if you happen to can take wickets up front and construct pressure, it makes life quite a bit easier for the batters.”
Allen highlighted the importance of the pre-tournament series against India.
“…it just shows the importance of that India series the boys played before the World Cup. Five games on black soil… you possibly can’t replicate that form of preparation,” he noted.
“We learnt quite a bit as a bunch. As a team, we rise up for the fight. In those essential games, we’re prepared to scrap and stay in it till the tip. The boys with the ball especially did that today and really set the tone.”
Allen will return to the identical venue as a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, having been acquired for Rs 2 crore on the IPL auction.
“I’m pretty glad to bat on that wicket a bit more often… It’s my first time playing in Kolkata. Having had that last game against India on black soil gave me a correct take a look at what to anticipate. That was really helpful coming into this one.”
Reflecting on his experience, Allen, who had scored 80 within the only match he played for Latest Zealand throughout the 1-4 series defeat to India, said the training experience had been difficult but helpful.
“You are taking your lessons quickly in international cricket. We didn’t get the ends in that series, but we took a variety of confidence out of competing in those conditions.”
Allen also praised his opening partner, Tim Seifert, who played an important role with a 33-ball 58.
“He just kept dealing in boundaries… he’s been doing that every one tournament. He’s in incredible form. He’s an incredible player, and he’s showing the world what he can do,” Allen said.
“It makes it easier for me. Sometimes I feel like I’ve got the perfect seat in the home watching him go. It’s good fun batting with Timmy when he’s in that mood.”
South Africa had previously defeated Latest Zealand within the group stage and entered the semifinal unbeaten. Nevertheless, Allen mentioned that the Kiwis learned from that earlier defeat in Ahmedabad.
“We looked closely at that first game against them,” he said.
“They’ve been outstanding all tournament, backing up performances. But playing them earlier gave us a little bit of insight into their plans and we tried to make use of that to our advantage.”
Regarding the upcoming final on Sunday, Allen hoped for national support, “As a nation, hopefully everyone gets behind us and rallies around us for Sunday. Finals are special… you don’t get too many probabilities at them.”
(With PTI Inputs)
March 05, 2026, 00:06 IST
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