In a thrilling Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, West Indies battled to 176 for 8 against South Africa on Thursday in the T20 World Cup 2026. South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to field first, putting pressure on the Caribbean side from the outset.
West Indies’ top order crumbled early. Captain Shai Hope fell for 16 off just 6 balls, setting a shaky tone. Shimron Hetmyer, in red-hot form, managed only 2 before Kagiso Rabada dismissed him. Brandon King looked promising with 21 off 11 but couldn’t convert, while Rovman Powell and Roston Chase added minimal contributions of 9 and 2 respectively. Sherfane Rutherford’s 12 ended in a catch to Quinton de Kock off Corbin Bosch, leaving West Indies reeling at 83 for 7.
Enter Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. The duo forged an 89-run eighth-wicket stand that turned the innings around. Holder smashed 49 off 31 balls before a unfortunate run-out, while Shepherd’s explosive 52 off 37, featuring 3 fours and 4 sixes, propelled West Indies to a competitive total.
South Africa’s bowlers struck back effectively. Lungi Ngidi was the standout with 3 for 30 in 4 overs, supported by Rabada’s 2 for 22 and Bosch’s 2 for 31. As the Proteas gear up to chase, the match promises high drama under the Ahmedabad lights.
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
West Indies XI: Shai Hope (c), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.