Unbeaten South Africa crushes West Indies by 9 wickets at T20 World Cup
Published:Thursday | February 26, 2026 | 1:58 PM
South Africa has taken a giant leap toward the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals after a dominant nine-wicket win over the high-flying West Indies earlier Thursday in Ahmedabad, India.
A whirlwind 95-run opening partnership between captain Aiden Markram (82 not out) and Quinton de Kock (47) in eight overs made short work of South Africa’s chase.
Ryan Rickelton added 45 not out and South Africa motored to 177-1 in 16.1 overs and stretched its unbeaten record in the tournament to six games, four of the wins in Ahmedabad.
West Indies put up 176-8 from 83-7.
In another match, India posted the second-highest total in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup as its batters gave home fans a show of sixes in a 72-run win over Zimbabwe in the Super Eights on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya scored 50 not out off 23 balls, Tilak Varma smashed 44 not out off only 16 deliveries and Abhishek Sharma found form with a 30-ball 55 in defending champion India’s 256-4 in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe reached 184-6 in its 20 overs with opener Brian Bennett ending on 97 not out.
India hit 17 sixes in all – its highest in a T20 World Cup innings — after Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl.
India’s win secured a place in the semifinals.
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