South Africa thrash West Indies in T20 World Cup statement win
By Sadia Khan :
South Africa captain Aiden Markram delivered a commanding unbeaten 82 to guide his team to a resounding nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday, positioning the Proteas firmly on the verge of a T20 World Cup semi-final spot.
The win keeps South Africa’s perfect record intact, making them the only unbeaten side in the tournament with five consecutive victories. Their dominant chase of 177 with more than three overs to spare moved them two points clear at the top of Super Eight Group 1.
West Indies Rally After Top Order Collapse
The West Indies innings appeared destined for a modest total after South Africa’s bowling attack tore through their batting lineup. From a promising start of 29 without loss after two overs, the two-time champions lost four wickets for just 14 runs and later slumped to 83 for seven in the eleventh over.
Kagiso Rabada delivered telling blows, removing captain Shai Hope for 16 and accounting for Shimron Hetmyer for two. Lungi Ngidi claimed three wickets for 30 runs, including the key dismissals of Brandon King for 21 and Rovman Powell for nine.
However, Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder launched a remarkable counterattack, adding 89 runs for the eighth wicket—the highest partnership for that position in T20 World Cup history. Shepherd smashed his maiden T20I half-century, remaining unbeaten on 52 from 37 deliveries with four sixes, while Holder fell just short of his own fifty, run out for 49 off the penultimate ball.
Their partnership lifted the West Indies to a competitive 176 for eight, with 58 runs coming from the final five overs.
Markram and De Kock Dismantle Target
South Africa’s response was brutally efficient. Markram and Quinton de Kock raced to 69 without loss in the powerplay, with the captain reaching his half-century off just 27 balls.
De Kock contributed a blistering 47 from 24 deliveries, featuring four sixes, before falling to Roston Chase with the score on 95. Ryan Rickelton joined his captain and maintained the ferocious scoring rate, remaining unbeaten on 45 from 28 balls.
Markram sealed victory in style with his eleventh boundary, finishing with seven fours and four sixes in his 46-ball innings.
Group Dynamics Shift
The result has significant implications for Group 1. South Africa are now guaranteed a semi-final berth, while the West Indies must beat India in Kolkata on Sunday to progress.
India’s victory over Zimbabwe later on Thursday keeps their campaign alive, setting up a virtual knockout contest between the co-hosts and the two-time champions for the remaining semi-final spot.
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