Ahmedabad, February 14 – Pacer Marco Jansen took four wickets, but New Zealand relied on a crucial 74-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell to post a modest, challenging total of 175/7 in 20 overs against South Africa in Match 24 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
Jansen took 4-40, leading a superb bowling effort by the South Africans, as New Zealand, who had recovered from a poor start and were aiming for a total of over 200, were bowled out and fell short by at least 20 runs.
Jansen had taken the first three New Zealand wickets, and then dismissed the dangerous Chapman as South Africa regained control.
Marco Jansen rattled the New Zealand top order, taking two wickets in three balls as the BlackCaps were left struggling at 58/3 at the end of the Powerplay. Jansen dismissed Tim Seifert, who edged one behind Quinton de Kock for 13, with the score at 33/1. He then dismissed Rachin Ravindra (13 off 8) and David Miller, both of whom edged one away, giving Jansen a three-wicket haul.
Things worsened for New Zealand when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Glenn Phillips, who edged one onto his stumps through a large gap in the bat-pad. New Zealand were 64/4 in the seventh over, and in a precarious position.
However, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell repaired the innings with a 74-run partnership for the fifth wicket, scoring at a fast clip as they attacked the bowling despite the pressure from the Proteas. Chapman was close to a half-century, but became Jansen's fourth victim of the day, as he deceived the batter with a well-disguised slower ball. Chapman attempted to hit him, but could only offer a catch to Ryan Rickelton. He scored 48 off 26 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
Mitchell fell for 32 off 24 balls (2x4, 1x6) before offering a catch to Tristan Stubbs off Lungi Ngidi. New Zealand suffered another wobble when captain Mitchell Santner departed for a 10-ball four, leaving New Zealand at 145/7 in the 17th over.
James Neesham struck an unbeaten 23 off 5 balls, including two boundaries in the final over, and added a quick 30 runs for the unfinished eighth-wicket partnership with Matt Henry (9 not out off 8), as New Zealand reached a defendable total.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 175/7 in 20 overs (Mark Chapman 48, Daryl Mitchell 32, Finn Allen 31, James Neesham 23 not out; Marco Jansen 4-40) vs South Africa
