South Africa delivered a commanding performance against West Indies on Thursday, securing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights stage. The match between the tournament’s last remaining unbeaten teams turned into a one-sided affair at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, with the Proteas effectively booking their semifinal berth through clinical execution.
The victory was forged through exceptional bowling precision followed by explosive batting dominance. The pace duo of Lungi Ngidi (3-30) and Kagiso Rabada (2-22) engineered a dramatic West Indies collapse, reducing the Caribbean side to 83-7 within 11 overs. Their devastating spell threatened to bundle out the hosts for a subpar total until a record-breaking rescue mission emerged.
Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd scripted the highest eighth-wicket partnership in T20 International history, adding 89 crucial runs to lift West Indies to a competitive 176-8. Holder’s brisk 49 off 31 deliveries complemented Shepherd’s maiden T20I half-century, an unbeaten 52 from 37 balls featuring four sixes and three boundaries.
South Africa’s response was nothing short of spectacular. Captain Aiden Markram orchestrated the chase with an authoritative unbeaten 82 from just 46 deliveries, hammering seven fours and four sixes in a masterclass of power hitting. He received formidable support from Quinton de Kock, who blazed 47 off 24 balls before departing, and Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten 45 ensured the Proteas reached their target of 177 with 23 balls remaining.
The match witnessed several turning points, including dropped chances that proved costly for West Indies. Brandon King spilled a difficult opportunity to dismiss Markram early in the innings, while earlier reprieves for Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford failed to alter the match’s ultimate trajectory.
This victory marks South Africa’s second consecutive win in the Super Eights stage, positioning them strongly for semifinal qualification while ending West Indies’ previously unblemished tournament record.