Aiden Markram etched his name deeper into South African cricket lore during Monday’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Canada in Ahmedabad. The Proteas skipper’s unbeaten 59 from 32 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries, earned him a half-century and elevated him to joint-second on the list of most T20 World Cup fifties for South Africa, matching Quinton de Kock’s tally of four while AB de Villiers leads with five.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Canada watched helplessly as Markram and de Kock ravaged the powerplay, racing to 66/1 – equalling South Africa’s 2016 effort against Afghanistan. De Kock’s 25 (22 balls, 2×4) ended prematurely, but Rickelton’s 33 complemented Markram’s mastery, forging 56 runs for the second wicket.
By the 15th over, South Africa slumped to 138/4, but Miller and Stubbs staged a rescue act. Miller’s 39* (23 balls, 3×6, 1×4) and Stubbs’ 34* (19 balls, 4×4) yielded 75 in 37 balls, sealing 213/4. Patel’s 3 wickets offered faint hope, but Markram’s leadership and bat set the tone for a dominant performance in the qualifiers.