T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat West Indies by 9 wickets 

Ahmedabad (Web Desk): South Africa continued their impressive run in the Super Eights phase of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, claiming a comprehensive nine-wicket win over West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Set a target of 177, the Proteas produced a near-flawless chase, racing to victory in just 16.1 overs while surrendering only one wicket.

The platform was built by the opening duo of Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram, who attacked from the outset and kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid pace. Their 50-run stand at the top immediately shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favour.

De Kock fell just short of a half-century, blasting 47 off 24 deliveries that included four fours and four sixes before being dismissed by Roston Chase, who secured his first breakthrough. Markram, however, maintained the charge, bringing up his 14th T20 International fifty in commanding fashion.

With Ryan Rickelton joining him at the crease, South Africa comfortably crossed the 100-run mark. The pair added another brisk 50-run partnership, punishing the bowling with regular boundaries and steering the total to 155-1 by the 14th over.

The chase was sealed emphatically, with Markram remaining unbeaten on 82 from 46 balls, striking seven boundaries and four sixes, while Rickelton contributed a fluent 45 off 28 balls, decorated with four fours and two sixes.

Earlier, opting to bat first, West Indies posted 176-8 from their 20 overs after recovering from early setbacks. Openers Brandon King and skipper Shai Hope started positively, putting together 29 runs in quick time. Hope’s aggressive 16 off six balls, which featured a boundary and two maximums, ended when Kagiso Rabada struck.

Rabada soon removed Shimron Hetmyer for two, leaving the Caribbean side at 31-2 in under three overs. Lungi Ngidi then tightened South Africa’s grip by dismissing King for 21 and Chase for two, pushing West Indies further on the back foot.

Efforts to steady the innings by Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell were short-lived. Rutherford scored 12 before falling to Corbin Bosch, while Powell managed nine. Matthew Forde added 11 runs but also departed, giving Bosch his second wicket and reducing the total to 60-5.

With the innings in disarray, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd launched a determined counterattack. Their 89-run partnership revived the contest and lifted the team beyond the 100-run mark.

Holder played an enterprising knock of 49 from 31 balls, striking four fours and three sixes before being run out. Shepherd carried through to the final over, reaching his maiden T20I fifty with a boundary and finishing unbeaten on 52 off 37 deliveries, which included three fours and four sixes, helping West Indies reach a competitive total.

For South Africa, Ngidi was the standout with three wickets for 30 runs in his four overs, while Rabada and Bosch claimed two wickets each to round off a dominant all-round display.