AHMEDABAD, India: South Africa delivered a resounding statement of intent at the Narendra Modi Stadium, annihilating the West Indies by nine wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group 1 clash.
The emphatic victory, achieved with 23 balls to spare, not only booked their place in the semi-finals but also ensured they finished the Super Eights stage with a perfect, unbeaten record.
Chasing a competitive target of 177, the Proteas’ batting lineup fired in unison, making a mockery of the required run rate to romp home in just 16.1 overs.
The Proteas inch closer to a #T20WorldCup semi-final spot with a comprehensive win over the West Indies 👌
📝: https://t.co/7sIwZ3AL3T pic.twitter.com/00jaM4QsVT
— ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2026
Markram and de Kock lead the charge
The South African chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
Openers Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock came out with a clear intent to dominate, attacking the West Indian pace battery from the very first over.
De Kock was particularly explosive in his knock of 47 from a mere 24 balls, smashing four boundaries and four towering sixes.
His 95-run opening partnership with Markram effectively broke the back of the chase before he was finally dismissed, caught by Jason Holder off the bowling of Roston Chase.
Skipper Aiden Markram, however, was the undeniable star of the show.
Playing a captain’s innings, he remained unbeaten on a sensational 82 off just 46 deliveries.
His innings was a blend of classical strokeplay and raw power, finding the boundary seven times and clearing it on four occasions.
He found the perfect partner in Ryan Rickelton, who continued the assault after de Kock’s departure.
Rickelton’s unbeaten 45 off 28 balls ensured there was no let-up, as the pair guided South Africa home with absolute ease.
West Indies’ innings fails to gain traction
Earlier, after being put in to bat, the West Indies struggled to build substantial partnerships and posted a total of 176/8, a score that always looked under threat given the firepower in the South African lineup.
The innings was a tale of two halves for the Men in Maroon.
The top and middle order crumbled under the precision of the South African pace attack.
Kagiso Rabada struck early blows, removing captain Shai Hope (16) and the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer (2) in quick succession.
Lungi Ngidi was even more destructive, cleaning up the middle order with figures of 3/30, which included the key wickets of Brandon King (21) and Roston Chase (2).
At 83/7 in the 11th over, the West Indies were staring down the barrel of a sub-par total.
However, a remarkable late resurgence from Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder gave their bowlers something to defend.
The pair added a breathtaking 89 runs for the eighth wicket. Shepherd was the aggressor, smashing an unbeaten 52 off just 37 balls, while Holder played the perfect supporting role with a run-a-ball 49 before being run out off the final delivery of the innings.
Their heroics lifted the West Indies from a precarious position to a total of 176/8.
Unbeaten and unstoppable
Despite the late flurry from the West Indies, the South African openers made the chase look straightforward.
The result means South Africa tops Group 1 in the Super Eights with a clean slate, sending a clear warning to the remaining teams in the tournament.
The West Indies, meanwhile, will be left to rue another middle-order collapse that undid the hard work of their lower order, putting their semi-final hopes in jeopardy.
