Ahmedabad, February 26 – South Africa decisively defeated the West Indies by nine wickets in their Super 8 match, extending their unbeaten streak and effectively securing a spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
The Proteas' dominant performance was led by their fast bowlers, followed by strong batting. South Africa executed their strategy perfectly, winning their sixth consecutive match and preventing the West Indies from maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament.
With South Africa gaining two crucial points from the West Indies, the hosts, India, have firmly secured their qualification chances, as a South Africa defeat would have severely jeopardized their prospects.
The loss significantly impacted the West Indies' net run rate, which dropped from a healthy 5.350 to 1.791.
Initially, South Africa's pacers dominated the West Indies' batting lineup. After a period of pressure, Romario Shepherd (52 not out) and Jason Holder (49) staged a recovery, helping the two-time champions reach 176 for eight.
Then, captain Aiden Markram (82 not out), Quinton de Kock (47), and Ryan Rickelton (45 not out) played confidently, enabling the Proteas to reach the target in 16.1 overs.
By scoring 69 runs in the first six overs, the South Africans demoralized the West Indies attack. Except for a few occasional errors, the top two batsmen controlled the game.
They easily dismissed both the pacers and spinners, scoring a quick 95 runs in 7.5 overs, including six boundaries.
De Kock hit four sixes and as many fours in his 24-ball innings before being caught by Jason Holder. Markram reached his fifty with a single off Gudakesh Motie.
With Rickelton, Markram scored an unbeaten 82-run partnership and finished the game in style with a straight four from pacer Jason Holder.
"We bowled really well, and the Powerplay was crucial for us to get off to a good start. Quinny [Quinton de Kock] set the tone," said Markram, who was named the Player of the Match.
"The second innings was good to bat on, and the bowlers bowled well early on."
Earlier, after their dominant win against Zimbabwe, the West Indies were in for a surprise as Kagiso Rabada (2/22) and Lungi Ngidi (3/30) put pressure on the batters, reducing the powerful West Indies lineup to 83 for seven.
Holder (49 off 31) and Romario Shepherd (52 not out off 37) then stitched 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. At the other end, Brandon King (21 off 11) batted aggressively against Marco Jansen, scoring quick boundaries as the Caribbean side reached 29 in just over two overs.
However, Rabada brought the Proteas back into the game by dismissing Hope, with the captain edging to the wicketkeeper. This could have been two in a row, but Shimron Hetmyer (2) was dropped at mid-on by Corbin Bosch, but this reprieve was short-lived. However, Rabada dismissed the left-hander three balls later when he mishit a pull.
Ngidi then struck twice in the fourth over. After being hit for two consecutive fours by King, he dismissed the opener, and two balls later, he dismissed Roston Chase (2). In the space of 10 deliveries, West Indies had lost four wickets and were 44 for four after four overs.
Sherfane Rutherford (12) briefly countered, smashing Bosch for a towering six over midwicket, but was out the next ball, top-edging to Quinton de Kock.
Ngidi's third wicket – Rovman Powell (9) – left West Indies tottering at 71 for six, while Matthew Forde (11) was dismissed shortly 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. I must commend the guys in the bottom half for giving us a chance. Things could have turned around," said Hope.
"The way we play our cricket, there will be a loss. Our aim was to get it out early. The next game will be the quarter-final."
