An Aiden Markram special guided South Africa past West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday, and one step closer to the semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
After a record partnership Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd helped West Indies fight back from 83/7 to 176/8 in 20 overs. But Markram shut out any more comebacks by the Caribbean side, scoring an unbeaten 82 as South Africa raced to 177/1 in 16.1 overs.
The nine-wicket win put them in pole position for semi-final spot from Group 1. With two wins in two matches, the Proteas sit atop the group.
Hitting top gear from the first over, Markram continued full throttle, slamming four sixes and seven fours, including a straight drive for four to get his team over the finish line. It was his sixth half-century in the tournament, the most by a South African in T20 World Cups.
On a good batting surface in Ahmedabad, the South African top order came up with an ace performance. While Markram carried his bat through, Quinton De Kock scored a 24-ball 47 and Ryan Rickelton was unbeaten on 45.
The 95-run opening partnership, in just eight overs, between Markram and De Kock gave South Africa the perfect platform. It was their third 50+ stand, the most by any opening duo in this World Cup so far.
Put into bat, West Indies stepped out with a glory or bust attitude.
Captain Shai Hope announced the intent with two sixes in the opening over off Keshav Maharaj and the team charged to 29 in the first two overs.
But South Africa quickly pegged them back as their premier pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi claimed two wickets each in their opening overs.
Rabada packed Hope and Shimron Hetmyer within the space of three balls, while Ngidi claimed Brandon King and Roston Chase as the West Indies crashed from 29/1 to 43/4.
Fighting fire with fire, Holder and Shepherd blasted their way out of trouble. Holder, who slammed four fours and three sixes, fell just one short of a fifty. Meanwhile, his partner, Shepherd brought up his first T20I fifty, scoring an 52 off 37, with the help of three fours and four sixes.
West Indies struck 11 sixes and 15 fours in total, earning 126 runs in boundaries.
It was one of the rare off days for South Africa in the field, as they dropped at least three regulation catches. As for the bowlers, Rabada (2/22) and Ngidi (3/30) and Corbin Bosch (2/31) helped their team to a position of strength, before Holder and Shepherd launched the onslaught.
