DELHI: South Africa completed a flawless group-stage campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, registering four wins from four matches.
Chasing 123, the Proteas reached the target in just 13.2 overs with four wickets down. Captain Aiden Markram provided an explosive start, smashing 28 off 11 balls before being bowled by Haider Ali, ending a 32-run opening stand.
Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton then pushed the score past 50 inside six overs, but de Kock fell for 14 off 16 balls in the final over of the powerplay, leaving South Africa at 56-2.
Dewald Brevis joined Rickelton and the pair steadied the chase with an important partnership, taking the total beyond 100 in the 11th over. Rickelton was dismissed for a rapid 30 off 16 balls by Muhammad Farooq, while Brevis later fell for 36 off 25 deliveries, striking three sixes.
Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith finished the chase comfortably.
Earlier, UAE made a promising start as Aryansh Sharma and captain Muhammad Waseem added 38 for the first wicket. Waseem scored 22 off 12 balls before being trapped by George Linde. Sharma followed soon after for 13.
Corbin Bosch led South Africa’s bowling effort with an outstanding spell of 3/12, while Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets and Linde took one, restricting UAE to 122/8 despite Alishan Sharafu’s fighting 45 off 38 balls.
