Aiden Markram’s fireworks lit up Ahmedabad as South Africa dismantled West Indies by nine wickets in a T20 World Cup Super 8 thriller. The Proteas chased down 177 with ease, wrapping it up in 16.1 overs for a comprehensive victory.
Openers Markram and de Kock unleashed havoc, forging 95 runs in 48 balls. De Kock’s aggressive 47 off 24 ended via Chase, but Markram found solidity in Rickelton. Their 82-run partnership off 49 balls was flawless, with Markram unbeaten on 82 (46 balls, 7×4, 4×6) and Rickelton on 45 (28 balls).
West Indies’ innings was a mixed bag. Shepherd’s gritty 52* off 37 and Holder’s 49 off 31 lifted them to 176/8. Hope managed 16 off 6, King 21, but Hetmyer (2), Powell (9), Chase (2), and Rutherford (12) disappointed. A collapse to 83/7 was mitigated by a late Holder-Shepherd surge.
Ngidi’s 3/30 headlined South Africa’s bowling, supported by Rabada and Bosch’s twin hauls of 2 wickets each. This back-to-back Super 8 win catapults South Africa to the top of Group 1 (NRR +2.890), after beating India earlier. For India, the margin of defeat for West Indies lifts the NRR burden, simplifying their path with two wins needed.