South Africa's dream run ends in heartbreak

South Africa won every match they could afford to lose in the T20 World Cup tournament and then lost the first one that they had to win. They were completely marmalised by New Zealand, who won the first semi-final by nine wickets.

Finn Allen ripped through South Africa's feared fast bowling attack, and hit an unbeaten hundred off just 33 balls. It was the fastest century in the history of the competition, and, as Allen said himself, the innings of his life. Only two batters have ever hit a faster ton in international T20 cricket, report agencies.

South Africa's captain, Aidan Markram, blamed the change in conditions for throwing off his team. "We'll reflect as a group," he said, "We'll let the emotions settle first and foremost and once they do we'll get back on the horse and try and get better. But we're obviously hugely disappointed with the result, it feels like we've been slapped in the face."

Coming into the T20 World Cup semifinals, South Africa had won seven out of seven games. New Zealand had won four, lost two and one was a no-result. In fact, South Africa had crushed them by seven wickets in the group stage. The Proteas were the overwhelming favourites to win.

But fate had other plans. When the game ended, New Zealand had won by nine wickets and 43 balls to spare. The top contenders had been knocked out of the tournament. New Zealand now play either India or England in the summit clash on March 8.

It was an all too familiar tale that we have seen time and again in ICC events. Be it the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup or Champions Trophy. In the ODI World Cup, South Africa finished 3rd out of 10 teams to enter the semis in 1992 only to lose due to a poor rain rule vs England. In 1996, they won all five group games and faced West Indies in the quarters only to stumble. In 1999, they topped their group and were the first in the Super 6 to enter the semis. The semi with Australia was tied and they were knocked out due to a lower NRR. Come 2007, South Africa won as many as seven out of 10 games but one of loss three losses was the semifinal vs Australia. The Proteas were expected to dominate in 2011 after topping the group but they faltered in the quarters vs New Zealand.