South Africa cruise to nine-wicket win over West Indies

South Africa secured their second straight win in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights, dominating West Indies by nine wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.

The Proteas chased down West Indies' 177-run target but lost just one wicket in 16.1 overs, thanks to an exceptional start by openers Quinton de Kock and skipper Aiden Markram.

The pair began aggressively, finding the boundary consistently and building a 50-run partnership to set the tone for the chase.

De Kock came close to a T20I fifty but was dismissed for 47 off 24 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes, with Roston Chase claiming his first wicket of the match.

Markram continued in top form, reaching his 14th T20I fifty, while partnering with Ryan Rickelton to take South Africa past the 100-run mark.

The duo dominated West Indies’ bowling attack, hitting boundaries at regular intervals and putting on another 50-run stand, taking the team to 155-1 in 14 overs.

The Proteas wrapped up their innings in commanding style, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 82 off 46 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes, while Ryan Rickelton contributed a quick 45 off 28 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes.

A record eighth-wicket partnership by Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder enabled the West Indies to overcome an early collapse and post 176-8.

The pair came together with their team in deep trouble at 83-7 and put on 89, the highest eighth-wicket stand in the history of T20 internationals.

Shepherd was unbeaten on 52 off 37 balls with four sixes. Holder was run out off the penultimate ball of the innings for 49 off 31 balls with three maximums.

Both teams came into the match with a perfect five wins in the T20 World Cup so far.

South Africa have played four of their five matches in Ahmedabad and captain Aiden Markram had no hesitation in opting to bowl when he won the toss.

The West Indies took 17 off the first over, bowled by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Kagiso Rabada's introduction halted their charge as captain Shai Hope (16) edged his second ball to keeper Quinton de Kock.

Shimron Hetmyer was dropped at mid-on by Corbin Bosch off the next delivery, but lasted only two more when he miscued to midwicket where Maharaj snapped up the catch.

Lungi Ngidi got in the act in his first over when Brandon King on 21 edged to De Kock and two balls later Roston Chase chopped on.

From 29-0 after two overs, the West Indies slumped to 43-4 after four.

Ngidi took 3-30 from his four overs, Rabada 2-2 and Bosch 2-31.