South Africa dominates Group D unbeaten, New Zealand trails with two triumphs, but Afghanistan’s campaign lies in tatters after defeats to New Zealand (five wickets) and a heart-stopping super over loss to South Africa. UAE showed grit, defeating Canada by five wickets following a humiliating 10-wicket loss to New Zealand.

Shifting to Kolkata’s Eden Gardens at 3 PM IST, England faces Italy in Group C fireworks. The English, with victories over Nepal and Scotland marred by a 30-run defeat to West Indies, meet Italy—who notched a stunning 10-wicket win over Nepal but suffered a 73-run hiding from Scotland. West Indies advances, Nepal bows out.

Capping the day is the marquee showdown at Pallekele at 7 PM IST: unbeaten Sri Lanka versus reeling Australia. The hosts dismantled Ireland and Oman, while the Aussies seek redemption after Zimbabwe’s shock win, having earlier crushed Ireland by 67 runs.

As twilight descends on Pallekele, expect fireworks that could swing group leadership and knockout hopes. This is cricket at its pulsating best, where underdogs dream and giants stumble.

Having dismantled Canada by 57 runs and edged Afghanistan in a super-over nail-biter, South Africa were primed for another statement win. Saturday’s clash at Narendra Modi Stadium saw New Zealand bat first after losing the toss, posting 7/175.

Finn Allen’s explosive 31 off 17 (four fours, two sixes) and Mark Chapman’s fiery 48 (six fours, two sixes) highlighted New Zealand’s innings. Daryl Mitchell’s 32 and an unbroken 23 from James Neesham pushed the total, but South Africa’s bowlers, led by Marco Jansen’s four-for, restricted them effectively.

Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, and Corbin Bosch shared the remaining spoils. Tim Seifert (13) and Rachin Ravindra (13) couldn’t build on early promise as wickets tumbled to 4/64.

South Africa’s chase was a captain’s knock masterpiece. Aiden Markram bludgeoned 86 not out from 44 deliveries, dismantling the Kiwi attack with ruthless precision. Paired with Quinton de Kock’s 20 in a 62-run powerplay blast, then Rickelton’s 21 and Brevis’s 21, Markram set the tone.

The finishing touch came with David Miller’s unbeaten 24 in a 47-run stand, sealing the deal in 17.1 overs. Ferguson, Neesham, and Ravindra grabbed a scalp apiece, but South Africa’s momentum is unstoppable.

As Group D heats up, South Africa’s hat-trick positions them as frontrunners, with eyes on a flawless group stage run.

Opting to set a target after the toss, Canada started shakily, losing three quick wickets with just 38 on the board. Enter Harsh Thakor, who forged a vital 58-run alliance with Navneet Dhaliwal in 47 balls for the fourth wicket. Dhaliwal’s 34 came off 28 balls with four fours, but his dismissal opened the door for Thakor and Shreyas Movva to add 33 more, pushing the score to 129.

Movva made 21, while Thakor’s gritty half-century – 50 off 41, with two fours and three sixes – lifted Canada to 150 for 7. Skipper Dilpreet Bajwa added 11, but the rest struggled. UAE spinner Junaid Siddiqui starred with 5 for 35, dismantling the Canadian batting lineup effectively.

UAE’s pursuit began with a stumble, captain Mohammad Waseem out for 4 at 12. Aryansh Sharma and Alishan Sharafu (5) managed 29 for the second wicket. At 66 for 4, Sharma linked with Shoaib Khan for a match-defining 84-run partnership off 42 balls, reaching the target comfortably.

Sharma’s 74 off 53 (6×4, 3×6) was a standout, falling just short of victory. Khan’s blistering 51* off 29 (4×4, 4×6) sealed the deal in 19.4 overs. Saad Bin Zafar’s 3 for 14 gave Canada hope, but UAE’s resilience shone through. This result highlights UAE’s balanced attack and chasing ability in the tournament.

Haider, with his 16 T20I caps, is poised to fill the void. UAE find themselves in dire straits in Group D, fourth on the points table following a humiliating 10-wicket loss to New Zealand at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium on February 10.

Batting first, UAE scripted their best-ever World Cup T20 innings, reaching 173/6. Early trouble struck with Aryansh Sharma out for 8, but Alishan Sharafu and skipper Mohammad Waseem forged a match-defining 107-run partnership in 77 balls.

Sharafu departed after a 47-ball 55 packed with aggression, including five fours and two sixes. Waseem’s unbeaten 66 off 45 balls, laced with four fours and three sixes, alongside Mayank Kumar’s quick 21 off 13, set a challenging target. Matt Henry starred for Kiwis with 2/xx.

New Zealand’s chase was a masterclass. Finn Allen (84 off 50: 5×4, 5×6) and Tim Seifert (89* off 42: 12×4, 3×6) powered home in 15.2 overs, leaving UAE shell-shocked.

Shah’s arrival offers hope for UAE as they regroup. Prioritizing player well-being while chasing tournament progression, this change underscores cricket’s evolving focus on mental health. Fans await how the refreshed lineup performs next.