Marvellous Markram Powers South Africa to Emphatic Win Over West Indies
T20 World Cup, Super 8 Group 1, Ahmedabad
West Indies 176-8 (20 overs): Shepherd 52* (37); Ngidi 3-30
South Africa 177-1 (16.1 overs): Markram 82 (46), De Kock 47 (24)
South Africa won by nine wickets
Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten 82 off 46 balls as South Africa defeated West Indies by nine wickets, maintaining their unbeaten streak at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
South Africa's captain struck seven fours and four sixes during the chase of 177 runs, reaching the target with 23 balls remaining. This victory moved South Africa two points clear at the top of Group 1 in the Super 8 stage, bringing them closer to securing a semi-final spot.
The 31-year-old Markram reached his half-century off 27 balls and shared a 95-run opening partnership with Quinton de Kock, who scored 47 from 24 deliveries before being dismissed by Roston Chase in the eighth over. Ryan Rickelton contributed a quick 45 not out off 28 balls batting at number three.
Markram sealed South Africa's fifth win of the tournament in Ahmedabad with his 11th boundary.
South Africa, finalists in 2024, were expected to chase a lower total after taking four wickets in the powerplay and reducing West Indies to 83-7. However, the two-time champions staged a recovery through Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder, who put on an 89-run partnership for the eighth wicket, helping West Indies surpass 170 runs.
After hitting 17 runs off spinner Keshav Maharaj's opening over, West Indies, who scored 254-6 against Zimbabwe in their Super 8 opener on Monday, lost four wickets in 11 balls, falling from 29-0 to 43-4 within four overs. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi each took two wickets during this collapse.
Sherfane Rutherford, who was dropped on three runs, Rovman Powell, and Matthew Forde were dismissed as the wickets continued to fall. Shepherd and Holder then formed a partnership in the 11th over to rebuild the innings.
The pair accelerated from the 15-over mark, with Shepherd advancing from 21 runs off 17 balls to finish unbeaten on 52 from 37 deliveries. Holder reached 49 off 31 balls before being run out on the penultimate ball of the innings.
They added 58 runs in the last five overs, including 23 runs in the 18th over bowled by Marco Jansen.
