T20 World Cup: South Africa stay unbeaten with nine-wicket win over West Indies
BBC World
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
South Africa maintained their unbeaten streak at the 2026 T20 World Cup with a convincing nine-wicket victory over the West Indies. Aiden Markram was the star for South Africa, hitting an impressive unbeaten 82 off just 46 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. His performance helped South Africa chase down a target of 177 with 23 balls to spare, securing their place at the top of Group 1 in the Super 8s and putting them firmly on course for the semi-finals.
The match saw an explosive opening partnership between Markram and Quinton de Kock, who contributed 95 runs before being dismissed by Roston Chase. Ryan Rickelton also played a crucial role with a quickfire 45 not out, supporting Markram in their pursuit. South Africa’s bowlers dominated the West Indies’ innings early on, taking four wickets in the powerplay and reducing them to 83-7. However, the West Indies fought back valiantly through Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder, who combined for an unbeaten 89-run partnership to push their total beyond 170.
Despite a shaky start, the West Indies’ lower-order pair of Shepherd and Holder turned the tide in their favor. Shepherd hit 52 off 37 balls, while Holder’s 49 off 31 balls nearly brought them over the line before he was run out on the penultimate ball. Their partnership added 58 runs in the final five overs, showcasing their resilience under pressure.
South Africa’s clinical performance, both with the bat and ball, highlighted their dominance in this format of the game. With their fifth consecutive win, they extended their lead at the top of the group standings, solidifying their position as strong contenders for the title. The match also underscored the unpredictability of T20 cricket, where a team can go from struggling to nearly winning in a matter of overs.
This victory further cemented South Africa’s reputation as one of the most consistent teams in international cricket. Their ability to chase
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026