Since its starting in 2007, the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup has delivered numerous unforgettable batting performances. But each on occasion, an innings comes alongside that utterly redefines what followers assume is feasible within the shortest format. That’s precisely what occurred within the 2026 semi-final when New Zealand’s explosive opener Finn Allen produced one of the astonishing knocks the match has ever seen.
On March 4, 2026, below the brilliant lights of Eden Gardens, Allen tore aside the South African bowling assault and smashed the quickest century in T20 World Cup historical past. He reached the milestone in simply 33 balls, rewriting the report books and eclipsing a mark that had stood for a decade. The earlier benchmark belonged to West Indies icon Chris Gayle, whose fearless hitting had lengthy outlined energy batting within the match. Allen’s unbelievable effort now sits on the high of an inventory that includes a number of the quickest lots of the competitors has ever witnessed.
Listed below are the highest 5 quickest centuries within the historical past of ICC Males’s T20 World Cup:
5) Brendon McCullum – 51 balls vs Bangladesh (2012)
New Zealand’s popularity for fearless batting in international tournaments was strengthened by their former captain Brendon McCullum through the 2012 version of the T20 World Cup. Enjoying in opposition to Bangladesh on the Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium, McCullum delivered a masterclass in managed aggression.
Coming in at quantity three, he dismantled the bowling assault with clear hitting throughout the bottom. McCullum raced to his century in simply 51 balls and finally completed with a panoramic 123 from 58 deliveries. His innings included 11 fours and 7 towering sixes. What made the knock much more exceptional was that New Zealand’s complete reached 191/3 largely due to him – McCullum alone scored 123 runs whereas the remainder of the batting lineup contributed simply 68.
3) Harry Brook – 50 balls vs Pakistan (2026)
England’s trendy white-ball revolution has produced a number of fearless hitters, and their captain Harry Brook added his identify to the historical past books within the 2026 version of the match. Going through Pakistan through the Tremendous Eight stage at Pallekele, Brook walked in early and utterly modified the momentum of the sport.
Chasing a difficult goal of 167, the younger English skipper performed with exceptional composure and authority. Brook introduced up his century in solely 50 balls, placing 10 fours and 4 sixes. His innings was historic for an additional cause as effectively – he turned the primary captain ever to attain a century in a T20 World Cup match. England finally sealed an exhilarating two-wicket victory, and Brook’s knock proved essential in holding their title hopes alive.
3) Chris Gayle – 50 balls vs South Africa (2007)
The very first T20 World Cup in 2007 produced a second that modified the notion of T20 cricket without end. Opening the batting for West Indies, the legendary Chris Gayle blasted his method into historical past in opposition to host nation South Africa in Johannesburg.
Gayle reached his century in precisely 50 balls and completed with a surprising 117 from 57 deliveries. The innings was historic as a result of it turned the primary century ever scored in worldwide T20 cricket. Together with Devon Smith, Gayle added 145 runs for the opening wicket and helped West Indies publish a large 205/6. Though South Africa managed to chase down the goal in an exhilarating contest, Gayle’s innings turned one of many defining moments of early T20 cricket.
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2) Chris Gayle – 47 balls vs England (2016)
Practically a decade later, Gayle as soon as once more proved why he earned the nickname ‘Universe Boss.’ Throughout the 2016 match at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, the West Indian famous person delivered one other unforgettable efficiency.
Chasing a frightening complete of 183 in opposition to England, Gayle unleashed a brutal counterattack. He introduced up his hundred in simply 47 balls and remained unbeaten on 100 from 48 deliveries. His innings featured 11 fours and 5 large sixes and guided West Indies to a cushty six-wicket victory. For the subsequent ten years, this remained the quickest century in T20 World Cup historical past.
1) Finn Allen – 33 balls vs South Africa (2026)
Then got here the evening that rewrote historical past. Within the semi-final of the 2026 match, Finn Allen produced an innings that shocked gamers, commentators, and followers alike.
Chasing a goal of 170, Allen and fellow opener Tim Seifert launched an aggressive assault proper from the beginning. Allen raced to his half-century in simply 19 balls – the quickest fifty ever recorded in a T20 World Cup knockout match. However he was removed from accomplished.
Within the subsequent 14 balls, he accomplished his century, reaching three figures in an astonishing 33 deliveries. His unbeaten 100 included 10 fours and eight towering sixes and got here at a jaw-dropping strike fee of over 300. The opening partnership with Seifert produced 117 runs as New Zealand chased down the goal in simply 12.5 overs, securing a dominant nine-wicket victory and reserving their place within the ultimate.
Allen’s explosive knock not solely broke Gayle’s long-standing report but additionally set a brand new benchmark for energy hitting in T20 cricket – one which will stand for years to return.
Additionally READ: Netizens go wild as Finn Allen smashes a record-breaking century to energy New Zealand into the T20 World Cup 2026 ultimate with a win over South Africa
