South Africa took a huge leap forward towards the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup with a resounding nine-wicket win over the high-flying West Indies on Thursday.
A stunning 89-run stand between Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder saw West Indies rally from 83-7 to post a defensible 176-8 after 20 overs.
But a whirlwind 95-run opening partnership between captain Aiden Markram (82 not out) and Quinton de Kock (47) in eight overs cut the chase short.
Ryan Rickelton added 45 not out and South Africa motored to 177-1 in 16.1 overs, extending their unbeaten record in the tournament to six matches.
South Africa can top the Super 8 group if they beat Zimbabwe on Sunday, when the West Indies face co-hosts India.
South Africa remains perfect until semi-finals
Markram hit seven boundaries and four sixes in his 82 off 46 to set the tone for the chase. De Kock hit four sixes and a four boundaries in his 24-ball 47.
Rickelton kept the score alive with 45 off 28 balls. He and Markram shared an unbeaten 80/50 as South Africa won by three overs or more in Ahmedabad for the fourth time.
The lone wicket was taken by spin bowling all-rounder Roston Chase, who was drafted into the playing XI in place of spinner Akeal Hosein.
Pacers Shepard and Holder failed to secure a win after a good performance in the West Indies.
Excellent stands from Jason Holder (left) and Romario Shepherd kept West Indies in contention, but they could not match their heroics with the ball.
Shepherd (52 not out) and Holder (49) put up an 89-run partnership to lift West Indies from an embarrassing 83-7, with Shepherd scoring his maiden T20 half-century.
In a frenzied powerplay, West Indies lost four wickets in 10 balls to fall to 52-4, with South Africa also dropping three catches in the first six overs.
Kagiso Rabada (2-22) had a slim edge against West Indies captain Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, and he had the best edge against wicketkeeper de Kock in three overs. Lungi Ngidi (3-30) got off Brandon King and Chase in four overs.
Holder and Shepherd pushed the accelerator in the death over. Holder was shut out in the final game after beating Marco Jansen with 23 runs in the bottom of the 18th inning.
Shepherd completed his half-century with an inside edge off the last ball of the innings, but South Africa kept the score below par at the favorite’s stadium in Ahmedabad.
Markram enjoys the highest level of responsibility
Player of the Match Aiden Markram (82 off 46 balls):
“We bowled well and the powerplay really helped us get away nicely and then we gained momentum in our batting innings.
“The wicket got better again in the second innings. It was sticky in the beginning so we were lucky with the toss. Our bowlers had less to do with us.”
“My plan was to get the rhythm going and not be too rigid or structured. Hand flow helped, but today I just got stuck. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but when it works, it’s good.”
“Whether you are the captain or not, it is your responsibility to open the batting. The top three of our batsmen have got the team off to a good start. We are done today and hopefully we can continue.”
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