KEY POINTS
- Captain Aiden Markram’s explosive 59 off 32 powered South Africa to a formidable total of 213.
- Pacer Lungi Ngidi (4/31) destroyed Canada’s top order, including a first-ball wicket, to derail the chase.
- Navneet Dhaliwal’s fighting 64 was the lone bright spot for Canada, who fell 57 runs short of the target.
AHMEDABAD: South Africa opened their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 57-run victory over Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday, defending a mammoth total of 213.
Proteas set formidable target
After being asked to field, Canada’s bowlers were subjected to a relentless assault from the outset. South African captain Aiden Markram led the charge with a blistering 59 from just 32 balls, smashing 10 fours and a six to lay a devastating foundation. He was ably supported by Ryan Rickelton’s brisk 33.
Despite a brief stumble in the middle overs, where off-spinner Ansh Patel (3/31) dismissed Markram, Rickelton, and Dewald Brevis, South Africa finished with a spectacular flourish. David Miller (39* off 23) and Tristan Stubbs (34* off 19) unleashed a brutal partnership, plundering 62 runs from the final five overs to push the total beyond 210.
Lungi Ngidi's top-class spell caused Canada trouble 💥
He wins the @aramco POTM award 🎖️ pic.twitter.com/INIGQ74EsA
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2026
Canadian chase falters despite Dhaliwal’s fight
Facing a daunting chase of 214, Canada’s innings suffered an immediate setback when captain Dilpreet Bajwa was dismissed by the first ball of the innings from Lungi Ngidi. The early blows continued as Ngidi (4/31) ripped through the top order, reducing Canada to 26 for 3 inside three overs.
Opener Navneet Dhaliwal provided spirited resistance, anchoring the innings with a composed 64 from 49 deliveries. He forged a 69-run partnership with Harsh Thaker (33) to offer a glimmer of hope.
However, the escalating required run rate proved unsustainable. Dhaliwal’s dismissal in the 19th over extinguished any lingering chance of an upset, as Canada finished their 20 overs at 156 for 8.
South Africa start their #T20WorldCup campaign on a high with a complete all-round showing in Ahmedabad 💪
📝: https://t.co/9oMjFo9vBB pic.twitter.com/WshzFrGDAY
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2026
A comprehensive start for South Africa
The victory was built on a complete team performance. While the batters set an imposing target, the Proteas’ pace quartet of Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch maintained relentless pressure, sharing seven wickets between them. The result provides South Africa with a strong start to their Group D campaign and a significant net run rate boost.
For Canada, the defeat highlights the gap at the elite level, though the fighting knocks from Dhaliwal and Thaker will provide positives as they look ahead in the tournament.
Brief Scores: South Africa 213/4 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 59, David Miller 39, Tristan Stubbs 34; Ansh Patel 3/31) beat Canada 156/8 in 20 overs (Navneet Dhaliwal 64, Harsh Thaker 33; Lungi Ngidi 4/31, Marco Jansen 2/30) by 57 runs.
