AHMEDABAD: South Africa produced a commanding batting performance to post a formidable 213 against Canada in the ninth match of T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday.
Proteas captain leads charge with explosive fifty
Opting to bowl first, Canada found themselves on the receiving end of a fierce onslaught led by South African skipper Aiden Markram. The right-hander played a scintillating knock, scoring 59 runs off just 32 deliveries. His innings, laced with 10 boundaries and a six, provided the explosive foundation for the Proteas’ innings.
Markram shared a brisk 70-run opening stand with Quinton de Kock (25), but the innings truly accelerated through his 56-run partnership with Ryan Rickelton, who contributed a quickfire 33 from 21 balls.
Late flourish seals dominant total
Despite losing wickets in a cluster around the 13th over, with off-spinner Ansh Patel claiming three crucial scalps for Canada, South Africa finished with a thunderous flourish.
David Miller, unbeaten on 39 from 23 balls, and the explosive Tristan Stubbs, who smashed 34 not out from just 19 deliveries, plundered 62 runs in the final five overs. Their partnership catapulted the total beyond the 210-mark, putting immense pressure on the Canadian chase.
For the associate nation, Ansh Patel (3/31) was the standout bowler, claiming the prized wickets of Markram, Rickelton, and Dewald Brevis. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa also chipped in with the wicket of de Kock.
Daunting chase awaits Canada
Canada now faces the Herculean task of chasing 214 runs to register a historic upset. The South African bowling attack, featuring Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Keshav Maharaj, will be eager to defend the massive total and secure a strong start to their World Cup campaign.
Brief Scores: South Africa 213/4 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 59, David Miller 39, Tristan Stubbs 34; Ansh Patel 3/31) vs Canada. Canada needs 214 runs to win.
