South Africa’s dominant six-wicket win against UAE in T20 World Cup 2026 match number 34 has etched Anrich Nortje’s name deeper into cricket history. The explosive fast bowler snared 2 wickets for 28 runs in his 4-over stint, vaulting him to second place on the all-time list of leading wicket-takers among pacers in T20 World Cups.
From his debut in 2021, Nortje has terrorized batters across 20 matches, amassing 37 scalps. Only Lasith Malinga’s 38 wickets in 31 games stand between him and the pinnacle. As the Proteas gear up for three Super-8 clashes, fans are buzzing with anticipation over whether Nortje can dethrone the Sri Lankan icon.
Behind Nortje, Tim Southee lurks with 36 wickets from 25 appearances, Umar Gul boasts 35 in 24, and Trent Boult has 34 from 18. This elite company underscores Nortje’s meteoric rise in the shortest format’s marquee event.
UAE’s innings crumbled under pressure at Arun Jaitley Stadium after being put in to bat. Sharfu’s gritty 45 off 38 balls, laced with boundaries, was the highlight, but the team folded at 122 for 6. Partnerships were fleeting; Waseem’s quick 22 and Arfan’s 11 couldn’t stem the tide.
Corbin Bosch’s 3-wicket haul dismantled UAE, complemented by Nortje’s brace and Linde’s solitary strike. South Africa’s chase was a breeze: Brevis’s aggressive 36, Markram’s steady 28, and Rickelton’s 30 guided them home with overs to spare. UAE’s pacers fought back sporadically but couldn’t disrupt the flow.