South Africa proved they are the team to beat at this T20 World Cup with a commanding performance in Ahmedabad. Skipper Aiden Markram led the charge with a blistering unbeaten 86 to crush New Zealand by seven wickets on Saturday. The victory moves the Proteas to the top of Group D and one step closer to the Super 8 stage.
Markram Masterclass Lights Up Ahmedabad
A crowd of over 50,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed a captain’s knock for the ages. Chasing a competitive target of 176, South Africa never looked in trouble as Markram took control of the game from the very first ball. He paced his innings perfectly and punished anything loose from the Kiwi bowlers.
Markram finished with 86 runs off just 44 balls. His innings was studded with eight glorious boundaries and four massive sixes that sailed into the cheering crowd. He found a reliable partner in David Miller, who remained unbeaten on 24 to see the team home.
The duo shared a calm but destructive partnership that ensured South Africa reached 178-3 with 17 balls to spare. The dew on the ground helped the ball skid onto the bat, but it was Markram’s pure timing that made the difference. He drove through the covers with elegance and pulled with power when the bowlers dropped short.
Here is a snapshot of Markram’s match-winning stats:
- Runs Scored: 86 not out
- Balls Faced: 44
- Strike Rate: 195.45
- Boundaries: 8 Fours, 4 Sixes
- Result: Player of the Match performance
Jansen’s Pace Rattles Black Caps
Before the batters took center stage, it was Marco Jansen who set the tone with the ball. The tall left-arm pacer used his height to generate steep bounce that troubled the New Zealand top order throughout the powerplay.
Jansen finished with impressive figures of 4-40 in his four overs. He removed dangerous openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen early in the innings, which put New Zealand on the back foot immediately. He later returned to claim the wicket of the in-form Rachin Ravindra.
New Zealand struggled to build momentum against the hostile bowling. Mark Chapman fought back with a gritty 48 off 26 balls, and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 32. However, they lacked the firepower at the end to post a total that could challenge the South African batting lineup.
England Survives Scare to Beat Scotland
Meanwhile in Kolkata, defending champions England breathed a sigh of relief after a nervous five-wicket win over Scotland. After a shock loss to the West Indies earlier in the week, this was a must-win game for the English side at Eden Gardens.
Scotland posted a tricky total of 152 all out, thanks largely to Richie Berrington’s fighting 49. England’s chase started poorly, but Tom Banton stood tall when it mattered most. Banton scored a composed 63 not out off 41 balls to guide his team across the finish line.
The English spinners, led by Adil Rashid, were instrumental in restricting the Scottish scoring rate in the middle overs. Rashid picked up 3-36 and kept the pressure on. This win keeps England’s hopes alive in Group C as they look to build momentum for the next round.
Ireland Record Historic Win in Colombo
In the morning fixture at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Ireland produced their best performance of the tournament. The Irish batters went on a rampage to post a massive total of 235-5, the highest score of this World Cup so far.
Stand-in captain Lorcan Tucker was the star of the show. He smashed a career-best 94 not out off just 51 balls. He was well supported by Gareth Delany, who blasted 56 runs to leave the Oman bowlers with no answers.
Oman crumbled under the pressure of the huge chase. They were bowled out cheaply, handing Ireland a massive 96-run victory. Josh Little was the pick of the bowlers with 3-16. This result means Oman becomes the first team to be officially eliminated from the competition.
The T20 World Cup is heating up as teams fight for their spots in the Super 8s. South Africa looks unstoppable in Group D, while England has found their footing just in time. Fans across the globe are witnessing some high-quality cricket as the tournament moves into its crucial phase.
What do you think of South Africa’s chances this year? Can Markram lead them to their first World Cup trophy? Share your thoughts in the comments below using the hashtag #T20WorldCup2026.
