AHMEDABAD: A record-breaking 89-run partnership between Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd rescued the West Indies from a dramatic top-order collapse, propelling them to a competitive 176-8 against South Africa in their second Super Eights match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
Sent in to bat, the two-time champions endured a nightmare start after a brief period of early fireworks. Openers Brandon King and skipper Shai Hope attacked from the outset, racing to 29 runs in less than three overs. However, the aggressive start proved short-lived.
Kagiso Rabada provided the crucial breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Hope for a rapid 16 off just six balls. The Proteas quickly seized control, with Shimron Hetmyer falling cheaply for two in the very next over, also to Rabada, leaving the West Indies reeling at 31-2.
The slide worsened as Lungi Ngidi entered the attack, removing the explosive King for 21 and then Roston Chase for a duck in consecutive overs. When Sherfane Rutherford was dismissed for 12, the West Indies found themselves in dire straits at 60-5 inside the first seven overs, facing the prospect of a sub-par total.
With the innings in tatters, Jason Holder joined Romario Shepherd at the crease. The pair initially focused on consolidation before launching a breathtaking counterattack. They systematically dismantled the South African bowling attack, bringing up their fifty partnership off just 38 balls and propelling the team past the 100-run mark.
Holder was particularly aggressive, smashing 49 off 31 balls, a knock that included four fours and three sixes, before being unfortunate to be run out just one run short of a well-deserved half-century.
hepherd, however, remained unfazed and continued the assault. He reached his maiden T20I fifty in style, hammering a boundary to bring up the milestone. He finished unbeaten on a magnificent 52 off 37 deliveries, decorated with three fours and four sixes.
Their unbroken stand of 89 runs—the highest seventh-wicket partnership in T20 World Cup history—steered the West Indies from a precarious position to a formidable total, injecting late momentum into their innings and setting the stage for a fascinating contest.
Playing XIs
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c/wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
Head-to-head
The two sides have faced each other 26 times in T20Is. West Indies have won 14 matches, while South Africa have secured 12 victories. In T20 World Cup meetings, they have played five times, with South Africa winning four and West Indies one.
Matches played: 26
West Indies won: 14
South Africa won: 12
Form guide
Both teams are in strong form, each carrying a five-match winning streak in the tournament. They remained unbeaten in the group stage and opened their Super Eights campaigns with wins. With a semi-final place at stake, both sides will be keen to secure another victory, with England also in contention for qualification.
West Indies: W, W, W, W, W (most recent first)
South Africa: W, W, W, W, W
