By Asif Naveed
Sports Desk (MNN): South Africa national cricket team maintained their unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe national cricket team in a Super Eights dead rubber on Sunday, setting up a semi-final clash with New Zealand national cricket team.
Chasing a modest target of 154 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, South Africa reached 154-5 with 13 balls to spare, remaining the only unbeaten side in the 20-team tournament. Having already secured qualification, the Proteas rested key bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj but still restricted Zimbabwe to 153-7.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza led from the front with a blistering 73 off 43 balls, smashing four sixes and eight fours. He also impressed with the ball, claiming 3-29 to briefly unsettle South Africa’s chase. However, his all-round performance proved insufficient to stop the Proteas.
Ryan Rickelton struck 31 with four sixes, while Dewald Brevis added 42. After a mid-innings wobble, Tristan Stubbs (21 not out) and George Linde (30 not out) shared an unbroken 53-run partnership to guide South Africa home comfortably.
Captain Aiden Markram said the win was satisfying despite team changes, noting that the middle order benefitted from being tested under pressure.
India also advanced to the semi-finals after defeating the West Indies cricket team by five wickets in a decisive Super Eight fixture at Eden Gardens.
The West Indies posted 195-4 after being put in to bat, with Roston Chase scoring 40, Jason Holder contributing 37 and captain Rovman Powell adding 34. Holder and Powell accelerated late, stitching together an unbeaten 76-run stand.
In reply, India national cricket team recovered from early setbacks thanks to opener Sanju Samson, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 97. His knock, featuring four sixes and 12 boundaries, steered India to 199-5 with four balls remaining — the highest successful run chase of the tournament so far.
The result ended the West Indies’ campaign and completed the semi-final lineup. South Africa will face New Zealand on March 4, while India are set to meet England cricket team on March 5, aiming for a third successive appearance in a T20 World Cup final.
