T20 World Cup: Markram's unbeaten 82 powers South Africa to 9-wicket win over West Indies
Cricket
Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 82 guides South Africa to a dominant nine-wicket win over West Indies in the T20 World Cup Super Eight.
AHMEDABAD (Dunya News) – South Africa secured their second consecutive victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight stage, defeating West Indies by nine wickets in commanding fashion at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a target of 177, the Proteas completed the job in just 16.1 overs, losing only one wicket in a clinical run chase led by captain Aiden Markram. His unbeaten knock ensured South Africa maintained full control after an explosive start from the openers.
Quinton de Kock and Markram set the tone early, finding the boundary regularly and putting together a brisk opening stand. De Kock narrowly missed a half-century, scoring 47 off 24 balls with four fours and four sixes before Roston Chase claimed the only wicket to fall. Markram remained in complete command, registering his 14th T20I fifty and anchoring the chase with authority. He shared another strong partnership with Ryan Rickelton as South Africa crossed the 100-run mark with ease.
The Proteas tightened their grip through consistent boundary hitting, reaching 155 for one in 14 overs. They wrapped up the chase comfortably, with Markram finishing unbeaten on 82 off 46 deliveries, striking seven fours and four sixes. Rickelton provided solid support with an unbeaten 45 off 28 balls, including four fours and two sixes.
Aiden Markram's dominant knock of 82* powered South Africa to a big win over the West Indies
— ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2026
He wins the @aramco POTM
: https://t.co/7sIwZ3AL3T pic.twitter.com/c49fODQP4H
Earlier, West Indies had posted 176 for eight after being asked to bat first. The Caribbean side made a bright start but lost wickets at regular intervals after the powerplay. Brandon King and captain Shai Hope began aggressively before Kagiso Rabada dismissed Hope for 16 off six balls, ending a 29-run opening stand.
Shimron Hetmyer followed cheaply for two, also falling to Rabada. Lungi Ngidi then tightened South Africa’s grip by removing King for 21 and Roston Chase for two, leaving West Indies under pressure. Sherfane Rutherford’s 12 was cut short by Corbin Bosch, while Rovman Powell managed nine and Matthew Forde added 11 before Bosch struck again.
West Indies were struggling when their seventh wicket fell at 83 in 10.2 overs, but Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd mounted a strong recovery. The pair produced a record 89-run partnership for the eighth wicket in T20 internationals against South Africa.
Holder fell in the final over after scoring 49 off 31 balls, while Shepherd remained unbeaten on 52 from 37 deliveries, bringing up his maiden T20I half-century and pushing the total to 176 for eight.
For South Africa, Ngidi led the bowling effort with three wickets for 30 runs in four overs. Rabada and Bosch supported well with two wickets each.
With this result, South Africa continued their winning momentum in the Super Eight phase. Their next fixture is scheduled against Zimbabwe, while West Indies will look to recover after the heavy defeat.
