In a dazzling display of power-hitting, South African captain Aiden Markram lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday, smashing 59 runs off just 32 balls with 11 boundaries against Canada in the 9th match of the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers. This blistering knock not only propelled South Africa to a mammoth total but also saw Markram join the elite list of South African players with the joint-second most half-centuries in T20 World Cup history.
Markram’s innings featured a mix of elegant drives and ferocious pulls, underlining his evolution as a T20 aggressor. Partnering with Quinton de Kock, they stitched a fiery 66-run stand in the powerplay – the second-highest for South Africa in T20 World Cups, trailing only their 83/0 against England in 2016. De Kock fell for 25 off 22, but Markram carried on, adding 56 with Ryan Rickelton (33 off 28) before holing out.
South Africa, inserted to bat after losing the toss, posted 213/4. The middle order fired too: Tristan Stubbs (34* off 19) and David Miller (39* off 23) unleashed a brutal 75-run partnership off 37 balls to push past 200. Canada’s Ans Patel claimed 3/??, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
This half-century marks Markram’s fourth in T20 World Cups, level with de Kock and behind only AB de Villiers’ record five. As South Africa eye Super 12 qualification, Markram’s form signals ominous intent for opponents ahead.