ICC T20 World Cup 2026 | South Africa thrash Windies, all but seal semis spot

South Africa thrashed West Indies by nine wickets in the Super Eights Group 1 tie at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (February 26) to all but clinch a semifinal spot at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Chasing a target of 177, skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 82 off 46 balls as the Proteas romped home with 23 balls to spare.

With South Africa taking two vital points off the West Indies, hosts India now have their qualification hopes firmly in their own hands as a Proteas defeat would have dented their chances severely.

The loss hurt the Caribbean side's net run rate that came down to 1.791 from a healthy 5.350.

Earlier, South Africa pacers ran through the West Indies' batting line-up before a stirring lower-order fightback from Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder lifted the two-time champions to 176 for eight in their T20 World Cup clash here on Thursday.

From the high of posting one of the highest totals in the tournament's history in their previous outing, West Indies were in for a rude shock as Kagiso Rabada (2/22) and Lungi Ngidi (3/30) exploited the hard length to reduce the big-hitting line-up to 83 for seven.

Jason Holder (49 off 31) and Romario Shepherd (52 not out off 37) stitched together a record 89-run stand for the eighth wicket to prevent a complete collapse of the innings.

Earlier, Markram won the toss and elected to bowl. While South Africa remained unchanged, Roston Chase came in place of Akeal Hosein for the West Indies.

(With inputs from agencies)