Ahmedabad, February 26 South Africa defeated the West Indies by nine wickets in their Super 8 match, extending their unbeaten streak and securing a semifinal berth following India's emphatic victory over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
The Proteas' dominant performance was followed by strong batting. South Africa executed their plans perfectly, winning their sixth consecutive match and preventing the West Indies from maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament.
While South Africa secured two crucial points from the West Indies, the hosts, India, recorded a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai later in the day, keeping their semifinal hopes alive and confirming South Africa's place in the last four.
The loss impacted the West Indies' net run rate, which dropped from 5.350 to 1.791.
Initially, South Africa's pacers bowled effectively against the West Indies batting line-up, followed by a strong fightback from Romario Shepherd (52 not out) and Jason Holder (49), which allowed the two-time champions to score 176 for eight.
Captain Aiden Markram (82 not out), Quinton de Kock (47), and Ryan Rickelton (45 not out) then batted with authority, enabling the Proteas to achieve the target in 16.1 overs.
South Africa's 69 runs from the six Powerplay overs demoralized the West Indies attack. Except for a few occasional mistakes, the two openers controlled the proceedings.
They successfully targeted both pacers and spinners, scoring 95 runs in 7.5 overs, including six boundaries.
De Kock scored four sixes and as many fours in his 24-ball innings before being caught by Jason Holder at long-on. Markram reached his fifty with a single off Gudakesh Motie.
Markram and Rickelton then formed an unbeaten partnership of 82 runs, finishing the game with a straight four from pacer Jason Holder.
"We bowled pretty well, especially during the Powerplay, which was crucial for us," said Markram, who was named the Player of the Match. "Quinny [Quinny de Kock] set the tone for the partnership."
"The second innings was good to bat on, and the bowlers bowled well early on," Markram added.
Earlier, after their dominant win over Zimbabwe, the West Indies were surprised when Kagiso Rabada (2/22) and Lungi Ngidi (3/30) bowled effectively, restricting the powerful West Indies batting line-up to 83 for seven.
Holder (49 off 31) and Romario Shepherd (52 not out off 37) then put on a record 89-run partnership for the eighth wicket, preventing a complete collapse.
South Africa opened with spinner Keshav Maharaj, but Shai Hope (16 off 6) showed early intent, hitting two sixes and a four. Brandon King (21 off 11) then attacked Marco Jansen, scoring quick boundaries, as the Caribbean side reached 29 in just over two overs.
Rabada then brought South Africa back into the game by dismissing Hope behind the wicket, while Shimron Hetmyer (2) was dropped at mid-on by Corbin Bosch. However, the reprieve was short-lived. Rabada then dismissed Hetmyer three balls later when he mis-hit a pull shot.
Ngidi then took two wickets in the fourth over. After being hit for two consecutive fours by King, he dismissed the opener behind the wicket and then rattled Roston Chase’s (2) stumps two balls later. In the space of 10 deliveries, West Indies lost four wickets and were 44 for four after four overs.
Sherfane Rutherford (12) briefly counterattacked, hitting a towering six over midwicket, but was out the very next ball, top-edging to Quinton de Kock.
Ngidi's third wicket -- Rovman Powell (9) -- left West Indies at 71 for six, while Matthew Forde (11) became Corbin Bosch's second victim soon after.
Just when a collapse seemed inevitable, Holder and Romario came to the team's rescue.
Holder, who hit 22 runs in a Jansen over towards the end, was run out off the penultimate ball, but Shepherd ensured West Indies finished strongly.
"Losing so many wickets in the Powerplay cost us. We were 40-50 short," said Hope. "We aimed to get it out early. The next game will be the quarter-final."
