Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram put South Africa firmly on target. Picture: AFP
AHMEDABAD:
South Africa captain Aiden Markram led from the entrance with an unbeaten 82 as South Africa all however secured a T20 World Cup semi-final berth with a brutal nine-wicket thrashing of the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
After the West Indies fought again from deep bother at 83-7 to publish 176-8, Markram and Quinton de Kock placed on 95 for the primary wicket to set the platform for a thumping victory.
South Africa raced to their goal with 23 balls to spare, scoring 177-1. Ryan Rickleton was not out on 45 on the finish.
They’re the one unbeaten aspect within the match, having additionally dismantled pre-tournament favorite India by 76 runs within the Tremendous Eights.
An India win in opposition to Zimbabwe in Chennai later Thursday will assure South Africa’s progress to the final 4.
It should additionally make India’s conflict in opposition to the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday a winner-takes-all decider for the ultimate semi-final berth.
Markram reached fifty off 27 balls and hit 4 sixes and 7 fours.
De Kock scored 47 off 24 balls, with 4 sixes and Rickleton hit two sixes in his 28-ball knock in an completely dominant show of batsmanship.
The West Indies has earlier wanted a document eighth-wicket partnership by Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder to get to 176-8 afer an early collapse.
The pair got here along with their staff in serious trouble at 83-7 and placed on 89, the very best eighth-wicket stand within the historical past of T20 internationals.
Shepherd was unbeaten on 52 off 37 balls with 4 sixes. Holder was run out off the penultimate ball of the innings for 49 off 31 balls with three maximums.
Each groups got here into the match with an ideal 5 wins within the T20 World Cup to date.
South Africa have performed 4 of their 5 matches in Ahmedabad and captain Aiden Markram had no hesitation in opting to bowl when he gained the toss.
The West Indies took 17 off the primary over, bowled by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Kagiso Rabada’s introduction halted their cost as captain Shai Hope (16) edged his second ball to keeper Quinton de Kock.
Shimron Hetmyer was dropped at mid-on by Corbin Bosch off the subsequent supply, however lasted solely two extra when he miscued to midwicket the place Maharaj snapped up the catch.
Lungi Ngidi bought within the act in his first over when Brandon King on 21 edged to De Kock and two balls later Roston Chase chopped on.
From 29-0 after two overs, the West Indies had slumped to 43-4 after 4.
Ngidi took 3-30 from his 4 overs, Rabada 2-2 and Bosch 2-31.
