South Africa vs New Zealand, ICC MT20 WC, 2026 Mar 4 Full score card

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR FINN ALLEN! Off just 33 balls. South Africa are left absolutely stunned at the Eden Gardens by what Allen has produced tonight. Simply outstanding. As per the on-air commentator, Aaron Finch, this is the fastest T20 World Cup century by any batter. Coming to the delivery, it is a full ball from Jansen, outside the off stump. Finn Allen stays put and blasts it over the mid off fielder for a boundary to finish things off in style and authority. NEW ZEALAND QUALIFY FOR THE GRAND FINALE! They win by 9 wickets and 43 balls to spare.

Looks like we have lost the ball. The umpires have asked for a replacement. The fourth umpire is out with the box of balls.

SIX! He has got an answer for everything, has Allen. He goes to 96 off just 32 balls. A real slot ball, on the stumps, Finn Allen clears the front leg and butchers it over the long on fence for a cracking six. SCORES ARE LEVEL!

SIX! That has been deposited into the Hooghly River. Short from Jansen, on the bodyline, Finn Allen stands tall and authoritatively nails the pull shot miles into the crowd behind deep mid-wicket for an enormous six.

FOUR MORE! Jansen goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on the pads. Allen hangs low to swat it away. One hand comes off the bat handle but he manages to get it away to the right of deep square leg for a boundary. 13 more needed for the Kiwis.

Aiden Markram walks up to Marco Jansen to have a chat. But the game is gone way out of South Africa's reach now.

FOUR! Cheeky! Full and across the right-hander. Allen walks across the stumps and gets low to get under the ball. He uses the pace on the ball and scoops it towards deep fine leg for a four.

On off, on a nagging length. Finn hits it to long off and retains the strike with a single. 21 more needed for New Zealand.

SIX! Hit flat but wide enough! Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Finn is quick to pick up the length. He goes back in the crease and just jabs at it. Hits it away from Marco Jansen at long on to his right for a six.

FOUR! Gets it away! Sliding into the pads from around the wicket, on a length. Allen goes deep in the crease and nurdles it behind square leg. The fine leg is up inside the circle and the ball skips across the practice pitches to find the fence.

Shorter and outside off, Rachin hits it along the ground to long off for a run.

Across again, on a good length, Ravindra punches it back to the bowler.

At the stumps, on a length, Rachin jabs it to mid-wicket, where the fielder dives to his right to prevent the single.

Finn Allen is down on the ground. The physio is out there for medical help. Looks like a cramp on his right leg. He is being helped with a few stretching exercises now, while Rachin Ravindra helps himself with a few sips of water. Allen is back on his feet and is ready to continue. After 11 overs, New Zealand are 137/1. South Africa at the same stage, were 80/5. Keshav Maharaj (2-0-21-0) is back on, replacing Kagiso Rabada.

SIX! BANG! Bosch bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Allen stays leg side of the ball and stands tall to pull it over deep mid-wicket. Not quite from the middle of the blade but more than enough to clear the fence. Allen hobbles after completing the shot. Rachin calls for the physio for his partner. New Zealand need 33 more runs.

Across off, on a good length, swatted towards wide mid on for a run.

Short of a length, on top of off. Allen has a heave across the line. Mistimes it off the inner half to deep square leg. He limps a bit as he crosses over.

A hint of seam movement away from the batter, on a good length. Rachin taps it in front of mid off and takes a quick single.

On middle and leg, on a good length, Ravindra punches it with a straight bat to mid on.

FOUR! Lovely wristwork! Honing in at the stumps, on a length. Ravindra brings his wrists into play and works it to the left of the diving mid on fielder for a boundary.

On a back of a length, on the leg stump line. Rachin stands tall and pulls it to the right of deep backward square leg for an easy run. New Zealand are 124/1 at the halfway stage, needing just 46 runs to win.

FOUR! In the midst of wham-bam-slam, there's a touch of class as well! An attempted off cutter from Rabada, on a good length outside off. Rachin Ravindra plays it on the rise and square cuts it to the left of the diving backward point fielder for a boundary.

Spits up from the deck, short of a good length, on leg. Finn Allen looks to nudge it around the corner, but gets undone by the bounce. The ball lobs off the thigh pad and rolls into the square leg region. They cross for a leg bye.

Short and on top of middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra hops and glances it to deep square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Straight and full, on middle, Rachin crisply drives it to mid off.

Rachin Ravindra walks in at number 3.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Finally, finally, something to clutch onto for the Proteas as Kagiso Rabada breaks the enormous 117-run opening stand. No celebrations from Rabada, just a cold, straight face as he knows they are still way behind in the game. It is a length ball that jags back into the batter off the rough patch. Tim Seifert lines up for a pull shot, but the ball skids low, beats the inside edge and crashes into the stumps behind. One of the two bails flew all the way down to the deep fine leg fence. A sublime knock from Tim comes to an end. New Zealand need 53 from 65 balls.

On a length, around the off stump. Allen rocks back and cuts it wide of deep point. It is mopped up in the deep with a slide. Allen collects a couple of runs.

Flat and full, on off. Allen punches it to cover.

SIX! OUTTA HERE! A short ball from Keshav, in front of the stumps. Allen gets the ball at a comfortable height. He rocks back quickly and swats it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

Sliding on with the arm, on a good length, Tim punches it to long on for a single.

FIFTY FOR FINN ALLEN! Off just 19 balls, the joint-fastest at this World Cup, as informed by Pommie Mbangwa. Finn has been the real aggressor and what a time to turn it on. Good length, sliding in and around middle. Allen works it down to long off for an easy single to get to his half-century.

FOUR! Runs are flowing with absolute ease for the Black Caps! Slides one onto the pads, on a fuller length. Finn Allen sits down and across on his knee and nails the paddle sweep to the deep fine leg fence.

BEATEN! There's that slower one from Ngidi. It is that in-dipping slower one, full and outside off, Tim Seifert is totally outfoxed by it. Swings his bat early and gets beaten.

FOUR! Laced away! A slower one from Ngidi, outside off and full. Tim waits on the front foot and creams the cover drive through the gap. Tristan Stubbs charges across from long off to his left, but fails to stop it cleanly. 100 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

Good length, outside off, Allen stands tall and jabs it through point for a run.

Back of a length, at the pads, Seifert misses to flick and the ball rolls off the thigh pad to the square leg region for a leg bye.

FOUR! Fortuitous. FIFTY FOR SEIFERT! Much fuller, and outside off, Tim Seifert tries to smash it over cover, but gets a fat outside edge as the ball sails over the short third fielder and goes over the fence for a boundary. Seifert has ridden his luck, but that's how the game goes sometimes. He brings up his milestone in 28 balls.

Misfield! That's the last thing South Africa want. Knee length full toss, tailing on the pads. Seifert heaves it to long on. Jansen moves to his right, but fails to collect it cleanly and the ball rolls back. He turns around and stops the ball from going to the ropes, but again fails to pick it up, allowing the batters to pinch in the second.

Nicely flighted up, full and middle, Tim Seifert gets on the front foot and creams it to deep extra cover for an easy single. 7 runs from Maharaj's first over. New Zealand need 79 runs from 78 balls.

In-dipping length ball, on off, Allen rocks back and drags it down to long on for a single.

Makes some room on this length ball and punches it to deep extra cover for a single.

FOUR! Through the gap! A touch short and flat in trajectory, outside off, Tim Seifert rocks back and blasts it wide of cover, beating long off to his left for a boundary.

Drifts one on leg, on a length, Tim backs away and knocks it to mid-wicket.

Full and pushed on middle. Seifert leans on and eases it back to Keshav.

DRINKS BREAK! All New Zealand in the Powerplay as they have broken the back of the chase, knocking off nearly half the target inside the first six overs. South Africa are looking flat, and this is a much-needed break for them. Aiden Markram will tell his boys that one opening is all it takes, and they can still find a way back into the contest. It was surprising not to see spin in the Powerplay despite the well-documented struggles of the two Kiwi openers against it. We will see spin after the break. Here is Keshav Maharaj.

A rare dot. Digs in a sharp bumper, around off. Allen lets it be. An anticlimactic end to the Powerplay. New Zealand are going ballistic with 84/0.

FOUR! Fortune favours the brave, they say. It is favouring Allen at the moment. Fuller delivery, just around the off stump. Finn Allen tries to attack it over cover, but slices it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

FOUR! Geez, that has raced away at the rate of knots! Overpitched delivery from Corbin, on the stumps. Finn Allen smashes it ruthlessly and gun-barrel straight down the ground for a boundary. Corbin helplessly watches it race away.

FOUR! Not from the middle, but it goes to the fence! Back of a length, outside off, Allen throws the kitchen sink at it, attempting to access the off side, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.

FOUR! Runs are hemorrhaging at an alarming rate for the Proteas. Short again, on middle, sits up nicely for Allen. Finn presses back and pulls it into the gap, bisecting deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

SIX! Up and over! Short of a good length, outside off, Allen gets to free his arms, as he stands tall and square cuts it over backward point for a cracking six.

It's been all New Zealand so far. Corbin Bosch replaces Lungi Ngidi.

This skids through, on a back of a length, on middle. Tim has a swipe across the line. He is a bit rushed and squeezes out an inside edge onto the pads. Another productive over for New Zealand. 14 runs off it.

FOUR! Absolutely crunched! After being hit for a six on the previous ball, Rabada drags his length back and Seifert is waiting for it on the back foot. He stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! In the slot and out of the park! Pace off ball by Rabada that spins back a bit towards the right-hander. He errs in length as this is a bit too full, on off. Tim gets the front leg out of the way and clobbers it over long on for a biggie.

Pitched up now, on off. Tim gets the front leg out of the way and smashes it hard but can't get it past mid off.

A bit of lift off the deck, on a short of a length, on off. Finn rises with the bounce and steers it behind point for a single.

The 50 is up for New Zealand! This is on a back of a length, on middle. Seifert swings across the line and shanks it off the inner half wide of mid-wicket. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence and it is hauled in. Three runs taken.

SIX! If you can do it, I can do just as well, says Allen to his partner. Full and at pace, outside off. Finn shuffles across to the stumps and gets low to find the elevation on the scoop. He executes it well and it sails over fine leg for a six.

Third slower ball in a row by Lungi. Full and around off. Finn cracks the drive but picks out Aiden Markram at mid off. He throws his head back in disappointment at missing out. A bit to either side and it would have been a boundary.

Dipping slower ball, very full, on off. Tim watchfully eases it to long on for one.

Out comes the off-cutter, fuller and wider on off. Seifert gets his hands through the shot but mistimes it to mid off.

On a good length, angled in on the off stump. Finn pats it in front of cover and hurries to the other end.

Ngidi goes full, on middle. Tim brings his wrists into play and flicks it wide of mid on. Kagiso Rabada dives to his right and takes the sting out of the shot. It slows down near the fence and it is cut off by two chasing men. The batters run the third on the throw.

Fuller in length, on middle. Seifert knocks it to the left of mid on for a single. 18 runs off the over. New Zealand 133 runs from 102 balls.

FOUR! Easy as you like! Jansen switches to around the wicket and bowls it on off and middle. Not a bad ball at all. This is on a good length. Seifert plays it on the up with a high elbow. He goes back over the bowler's head and picks up a boundary. Tim also holds the pose for the cameras.

SIX! Innovative and mighty effective! Angling across, on a good length. Seifert makes the move to the off side and uses the pace on the ball. Plays the scoop over deep fine leg and clears the fence with ease.

A confident shout for caught behind! There is a noise, but the finger stays down. Aiden Markram has a chat with the bowler and the keeper before going for the review. Skidding through, on a back of a length, on middle and leg. Seifert gets the front leg out of the way and has a hoick across the line. The ball goes under the blade and Quinton de Kock grabs it to his left before going up in an appeal. Flat line on UltraEdge when the ball is next to the bat and the noise was of the ball grazing the back leg on its way to the keeper. The third umpire Nitin Menon does not want to check LBW as it is too high. South Africa burn a review.

The length is pulled back, across off, Allen dabs it behind point and gets to the other end.

SIX! Hit with real authority! Jansen angles it across but serves it a bit too full. Allen does not move his feet at all and just swings through the line cleanly. Tonks it back towards the sight screen for a biggie.

Hard length, outside off, Finn runs it down to deep third for a single.

Bangs it short and outside off, Seifert gets on top of the bounce, and punches it uppishly, but between the cover and point fielders for a single. Maharaj at cover stops it on the bounce to his left.

Full and on leg, Allen clips it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Finn Allen is up and running! On a good length, in and around the off stump. Allen has a slight nibble at it but the outside edge does not go to hand. It goes well wide of the man at slip to his right and races away for a boundary.

In the air...but out of reach! Tim Seifert is living dangerously. Rabada digs it in short, on off. Tim takes it on as he swivels to pull it away. It is skied towards long leg. The keeper, Quinton de Kock goes after it and calls Dewald Brevis running in from deep fine leg to get out of the way. The ball keeps going away from him and he flings himself towards the ball but does not lay even a hand on it. Single taken. Dewald Brevis was closer and in a good position to take that catch.

In the channel, on a length, Seifert plays out and in front of his body as he taps it to mid off.

A very profitable start for the Kiwis. Kagiso Rabada to share the attack from the opposite end.

Nearly went to hand! Jansen hits the hard length, on off. Tim gets on his toes to ride the bounce and punch it away. The ball catches an outside edge and travels quickly to the man at short third, standing on the edge of the ring, but it drops short. They cross. 11 runs off the first over.

FOUR! Edged away! Lands it on a good length with an upright seam, on a good length. This does not come back in and leaves the right-hander on the angle. Seifert looks to clip it away on the leg side but is squared up due to the away angle. Gets an outside edge that goes past short third to his left for a boundary.

Fuller and swinging back into the pads. Tim waits on it and stays balanced in the crease. He flicks it neatly to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Across off, on a length, Seifert slams it on the up but picks out Aiden Markram at mid off.

FOUR! Not exactly where Seifert intended, but it does the job. Full and a hint of inward shape, in line with the off stump. Tim pushes out in front, looking to drive it down the ground with a straight bat. Gets a thickish outside edge but it goes all along the ground and through covers for a boundary. Tim and New Zealand are on their way.

A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a short of a length. Seifert presses half-forward to defend it with a straight bat. There is a bit of lift off the deck and Tim ekes out an inside edge on the leg side.

Nice and full, not allowing Jansen to get under the ball. Marco shanks it off the inner half towards long on. Daryl Mitchell swoops in, gets to the ball and fires in a throw at the batting end. Tim Seifert collects it on a couple of bounces and whips the bails off. Jansen puts his giant strides to good use and makes it home before the stumps are broken, confirmed by the smart replays. Just 6 runs off the final over, this could prove to be the difference by the end of the night. South Africa finish with 169/8.

No hat-trick! Around the off stump, on a length. Maharaj guides it behind point for a single.

Matt Henry is on HAT TRICK. Keshav Maharaj is the new batter in at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, dear! Just a chip from Kagiso Rabada, and he ends up picking out the fielder. Marco Jansen is stuck at the other end. Henry spots Rabada backing away and he follows him with a full ball. Kagiso swings through the line and just checks his lofted hit instead of going through the shot completely. He times it too well, and it goes straight down the throat of long on, where James Neesham makes no mistake. Henry is on a hat-trick.

3 balls to go. Kagiso Rabada walks in at number 9.

OUT! TIMBER! Excellent execution from Matt Henry. Cross-seam delivery, right at the base of the off stump. Bosch has a swing at it, but the ball drops on him and dips under his bat to shatter the stumps. Henry gets his first and South Africa are 166/7.

WIDE! Well beyond the tramline, trying to keep it away from Bosch's wingspan. Bosch swings and misses.

Full and lasered on middle, Jansen tries to whip it across, but gets an inside edge to the square leg region for a single.

Short and on the body, Corbin Bosch pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single. The fielder, Glenn Phillips, is very quick to get across to his left from deep mid-wicket and scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end, but Bosch is comfortably in by then. The ball ricochets to the off side, but there is a backup fielder to cut it off.

Final over coming up. It will be bowled by Matt Henry. (3-0-28-0) Can South Africa go past 180?

Nicely done! Around leg, leg cutter, on a length. Marco has a heave across the line but is beaten on the inside edge as the ball dribbles behind to the keeper. 13 runs off the over.

SIX MORE! Back-to-back sixes and Jansen brings up his FIFTY in style. Ferguson goes full this time but this is right in the hitting arc, on middle and leg. Jansen clears the front leg and clobbers it over wide long on for a biggie. This is a knock worth its weight in gold from South Africa's perspective.

Harsha Bhogle on air mentions that New Zealand are actually 6 minutes ahead on the timer. So they have been very disciplined in completing their overs so far.

SIX! Into the crowd! Ferguson goes short and around off. Another short ball from a Kiwi pacer, where the height does not trouble the tall man at all. Marco climbs into it as he parks it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

A big swing and a miss! Pace taken off, on a good length, outside off. Marco hangs low and swings for the hills, but he does not pick the slower one and fails to connect.

Across the right-hander, on a back of a length. Bosch punches it to deep point for one.

Corbin Bosch is next in at number 8.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Lockie Ferguson strikes on his return to the attack. Ferguson steams in from around the wicket and serves it on a good length, on middle and leg. Stubbs is standing with an open stance. He clears the front leg and has a swing across the line. The leg-cutter goes under the blade and brushes the back leg before uprooting the middle pole. Ferguson gets his first wicket and he breaks the 73-run partnership. South Africa are 150/6.

Just the over South Africa were after. They have managed to smash 37 runs in the last 2 overs. The penultimate over will be bowled by Lockie Ferguson (3-0-16-0).

SIX! Taken but Mark Chapman cannot release it quick enough. Neesham bangs it into the deck, on off. Jansen stands tall and is deep in the crease. He does not quite get hold of it and Chapman sprints to his left from deep square leg. He takes the catch but cannot apply the brakes and ends up running over the ropes with the ball in hand. 22 runs off the over. 150 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

FOUR! James Neesham errs and pays the price. The length was not bad at all but the line was. Yorker, too straight, sliding down leg. Jansen walks inside the line and tickles it past the keeper to his left for a boundary. 16 runs off the over with a ball to go.

Well bowled! Nails the yorker, right at the toes. Stubbs digs it out to long on and crosses over.

SIX! All the way! Neesham digs it in short, outside off. He fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. Stubbs unleashes the pull over deep mid-wicket. Mark Chapman looked to be in business for a moment but eventually watched it sail over his head.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Pushes the length up does Neesham, on off. Stubbs clears the front leg and swings through the line. He drills it down the ground and although the bat turns in his hand, he manages to beat the long on fielder to his left, who is standing a bit wide.

Starts with the leg-cutter, on a good length, outside off. Jansen waits on it and punches it to deep cover for a single.

Change in bowling as Santner has completed his spell. James Neesham is back on. His figures read 2-0-20-1 so far. Might be the make or break over for the Proteas.

Gets the yorker in, at the base of the off stump. Marco drops his bat down on the ball and jams it out to point for a single. 15 runs off the over.

Right in the blockhole, on middle. Stubbs digs it out to wide long on for a single. The 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

FOUR! In the gap! Off-cutter bowled into the surface, outside off. Stubbs hangs deep in the crease and the height of the ball is around the ribcage. He stands tall and drags the pull between deep mid-wicket and long on for a four. 13 runs off the over with 2 balls to go.

Henry keeps it full, outside off, Marco drives it down to long on and crosses over.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Henry errs in length as he dishes it out right in the slot at 129 kph, around the off stump. Jansen puts his head down and brings his long levers into play. He clears the front leg before clubbing it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Stubbs likes it at the other end as he gives a strong fist bump to his partner.

Wide! Slower bumper from Henry but it is too high. Jansen watches it sail over his head. Wide given for height.

Full and attacking the stumps, Stubbs drives it all along the ground to long on for a single.

Matt Henry (2-0-13-0) returns back into the attack, replacing Lockie Ferguson.

Had to hurry! Full and quick, on off. Stubbs lunges and taps it in front of cover for a quick single. Rachin Ravindra swoops in and has a shy at the bowling end but misses. It would have been interesting had the throw hit. Just 5 runs off the over. Mitchell Santner goes wicketless but concedes just 25 runs in his 4 overs.

Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. A shimmy away from the stumps by Stubbs before punching it to cover.

Wide! Santner tries to keep it away from the batter but this is too wide. Tristan lets it be.

Speared in from wide of the crease. On a nagging length, around leg. Tristan is beaten on the flick and gets hit on the pads.

Full and at the pads. Marco nurdles it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Wide! Slows it down and the line is wide but it goes beyond the tramline on off. Jansen lets it pass.

Bowled from wide of the crease and with a round-arm action. On a length, at the sticks. Jansen blocks it out.

Slower through the air by Santner, short and outside off. Stubbs waits on it and cuts it to deep cover. They cross.

No sign of dew just yet as the camera pans to the wheels of the buggy cam on the sidelines.

Smell that leather, mate! Well-directed short delivery, on top of the stumps. Marco Jansen is rushed onto the pull shot. He takes his eyes off the ball and misses to connect.

Climbs on the batter from a back of a length, on leg. Stubbs hops and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Smartly bowled! An on-point yorker, on the stumps, Jansen squeezes it to the mid off region for a single only.

Full and outside off, Stubbs crisply drives it to cover, but the fielder dives to his right, makes the half stop and takes the sting out of it. Parries the ball to the mid off region for a single. Oh, Ferguson has overstepped and it is called a No Ball. Free Hit coming up.

Overpitched and outside off, Jansen carves it between deep backward point and deep cover for a single. Phillips, as usual, is lightning quick to get across from the latter position to keep it down to a single only.

Drags the length back, on the pads. Tristan Stubbs nudges it to deep square leg for a run.

Nails the yorker in, on leg. Jansen jams the bat down in time and squeezes it to the left of backward point for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! South Africa have managed to get a partnership going, but they still have a tricky situation in front of them. They have to find a way to build this partnership while also looking for opportunities to accelerate. The surface is not as difficult as the score might suggest. If anything, it has been on the slower side, with a few balls holding up in the wicket, but nothing too alarming. New Zealand, meanwhile, have been fairly disciplined with the ball and will want to keep things tight and continue applying the pressure. Mitchell Santner turns to Lockie Ferguson in search of a breakthrough. 2-0-9-0 so far for the speedster.

Short and on off, thumped to long on for a single by Jansen.

Length ball outside off. 91.2 kph. Stubbs shuffles to the leg side early and chops it towards point for one. 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

Floats it fuller and angles it into the pads. Stubbs shapes to flick but is beaten by the dip and turn. The ball brushes the front pad and balloons up awkwardly. Seifert reacts quickly, dashing to his left toward forward short leg. He even dives but the ball drops out of his reach.

Pushed fuller and on middle, Marco Jansen flicks it off the front foot to long on's right for a single.

SIX! Much needed for the Proteas, and they need more of those! Ravindra lands it full and on middle. Marco Jansen picks the length early, shimmies down the track and brings his long levers to play. Gets under the ball and clubs it downtown for a massive six.

Slightly short on off, Stubbs knocks it off the back foot to long off. One taken.

EDGED, FOUR! Santner drops it short and slightly outside off, Marco Jansen presses deep in the crease and tries to punch it away, but only manages a thick outside edge. With nobody at slip, the ball squirts through short third to the fence behind.

Trying to be a bit funky there! In-dipping full ball from Santner, just around off, drifting in with the high-arm action. Marco Jansen tries the reverse sweep, but plays the wrong line and is rapped on the pads.

Pushed into the batter, on a length, on the pads. Stubbs rocks back and steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Looped up full and around off, Marco drives it to long off. Henry fields it in the deep. Just a single.

Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Stubbs slashes it to deep point for a single. They sniff the second run, but do not challenge Phillips' arm.

Arm ball, on a length, on middle and leg. Stubbs hangs deep in the crease and punches it to cover.

Stays a tad low on the bounce, on a length, on middle. Jansen goes back and across and pulls it to backward square leg. Another quiet over. Just 4 runs from it. Rachin Ravindra's figures read 3-0-19-2 so far.

Spotting Stubbs advance, Rachin pulls his length back, on off. Tristan Stubbs drives it all along the ground to long off for one more.

Drifts in and around off, full in length, Jansen laces it away to long off for a single.

Nicely tossed up, full and outside off, Jansen presses ahead and eases it to cover-point.

Aims the middle stump, on a fuller length, Tristan Stubbs stays leg side and drives it through the cover region for a single.

Drag-downer, on off, Marco Jansen hangs back and punches it down to long on for a run.

Back of a length, just outside off, Tristan Stubbs gets on top of the bounce and knocks it into the off side. A wicket and 3 runs from Neesham's second over.

Around off, skidding through and nipping away, on off. Marco Jansen gets a bit squared up, hanging his bat away from the body. Gets an outside edge to deep third for a single.

Keeps the stumps at play, on a length, Tristan Stubbs dinks it down the ground to long on for a single.

Back of a length, on middle, Marco nudges it wide of square leg for a single.

2 wickets in 3 balls, 77/3 becomes 77/5. In walks Marco Jansen at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft, soft dismissal and things are spiralling down badly for the Proteas now. They needed Brevis to stay till the end, but he goes back. It’s right in the slot and Brevis goes hard at it, looking to smash it through covers. But it flies off the outside half of the bat instead of the middle. The timing isn’t quite there, and the ball spoons up tamely to cover. Santner moves across and takes a simple catch to his left. South Africa are 77/5.

Hard length, on top of off, Brevis plays off the back foot and stabs it back to the bowler.

Halfway reached. South Africa are under serious pressure now as David Miller, who has a pretty strong batting average in Kolkata, also gone. It is now the test of their batting depth as Tristan Stubbs walks in at number 6. James Neesham (1-0-17-0) is also back into the attack, replacing Mitchell Santner.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE THIS TIME! Daryl Mitchell makes no mistake. Glenn Phillips will be a relieved man. David Miller knew it as soon as he hit it. Brave from Ravindra to toss it up, but the line is a bit wide. Miller collapses his back knee and reaches out. He aims to go back over the bowler's head. Cuts across it and it is skied towards long off. Mitchell settles himself under the skier on the fence, where he stays side on and takes the catch to his left. Halfway through, South Africa are 4 down for 77. Wicket number 2 for Rachin.

Keeps it short, on off, Dewald hits it on the up to deep cover for a run.

Short and quick, on the off stump. Brevis punches it back to the bowler.

SIX! One-handed hit but it still goes back many a mile! Drifting in, fuller and on middle and leg. Brevis reaches out in front and swings through the line. He goes through with the shot as one hand comes off the handle and tonks it over wide long on for a biggie.

Low full toss, outside off, drilled to deep cover for one.

DROPPED! Glenn Phillips did all the hard work but he has shelled it. Even he is human after all. Tossed up from over the wicket, full and outside off. Miller has a swing at it. Slices it off the outer half over cover. Phillips runs to his left in the deep and he gets there. He does not really need to hop but he does so. The ball hits him on the palm and drops to the ground before rolling away. The batters cross for a couple of runs.

Pushes it through, on a length, on off. Miller taps it wide of cover and retains the strike with a single. A six off the first ball and then 4 off the next 5. 10 runs off the over!

Shorter and quicker, on off, Dewald hammers it to deep cover for another single.

This is slowed down and keeps it wide, on a length. Brevis lets it be, thinking it is a wide, but the ball sneaks inside the guideline.

Halt in play. Change of bat for Dewald Brevis. All good to continue.

Slower and on a length, outside off, punched to deep cover for a single to get off the mark by Miller.

Stays short, on off, Dewald thumps it to deep cover and turns the strike over.

SIX! Banged away! A boundary after 18 balls, informs Pommie Mbangwa. Santner drops it short, on middle. Brevis backs away and hammers it with a flat bat over long on for a biggie.

Just 9/1 in the last 2 overs for the Proteas. Mitchell Santner (1-0-3-0) to continue from this end.

Around off, on a good length, Brevis dabs it to point. A bit of hesitation for the single but a misfield allows the single to be completed comfortably.

Around off, full in length. It holds and turns a bit. Miller chips it on the bounce to long off for a single.

South Africa are under pressure now and in walks David Miller at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! A decision that will be debated for a while, but it brings redemption for Rachin Ravindra. After dropping Aiden Markram earlier when he was on 3, he has made amends for that blemish. Tossed up from around the wicket, full and on middle. Markram gives himself room and swings to go back over the bowler's head with a horizontal bat. He does not quite go through with the shot completely and it goes flat towards long on. Daryl Mitchell runs in off the ropes and dives forward. The ball is dipping on him. He reaches out in front, and the ball lands on his palms on the full as he scoops the ball by getting his hands under the ball. South Africa are 55/3, as this 43-run partnership is broken.

Is that a clean catch from Daryl Mitchell? It looked like it in the real time. But the on-field umpires have sent it upstairs to check the legality of the catch. Oooooh, it looks tighter than it initially appeared. But the third umpire, Nitin Menon, feels that Daryl Mitchell had his fingers cleanly underneath the ball. So it is deemed a clean catch. OUT loads on the big screen.

Rachin spots Dewald moving away from the stumps towards the leg side. He follows him with a full ball. Brevis has a hoick across the line but mishits it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Into the wicket, tucking the batter up for room. Short and around the back thigh. Markram whips it off the back foot to wide long on for a single.

It looks like there has been some malfunction with one of the zinger bails at the non-striker's end. The fourth umpire rushes out and replaces it. All good to continue.

Angled in at the pads, on a good length. Markram is beaten on the flick and wears it on the front pad. Half a shout for LBW but that is clearly going down leg.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, Aiden lets it pass.

Spin in tandem as Rachin Ravindra comes into the attack, replacing Lockie Ferguson. He has been quite a handy operator with the ball in the last couple of matches with 3/19 against England and a 4/27 against Sri Lanka.

Keeps the stumps in play, on the fuller side, Aiden hangs back and cuts it late. He gets it through point for a run. A tidy first over from the Kiwi skipper.

Santner follows the batter as he backs away. Short and flat. Brevis hits it along the ground to deep cover and crosses over.

Leg bye! Speared in at the pads, on a length, Markram fails to lay any bat on the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads on the leg side. The 50 is up for South Africa!

This is slower through the air, full and outside off. Brevis gets down on a knee and has a swing at it. Gets it off the inner half to long on for one.

Another ball that slides on with the arm, on a good length, on middle. Dewald goes back and hurriedly stabs it down to cover.

Begins from around the wicket and this is pushed through, on middle. Brevis stays back to a full ball and cuts it right off the stumps. He hits it straight to cover.

DRINKS. Tim Seifert has copped a blow on his nose as the ball deflected off his glove. The physio is out there to check him up. He looks fine though. And despite getting reduced to 12/2, losing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in back-to-back deliveries against spin, South Africa have recovered decently through Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis. The ball has not come that nicely on the bat, as there is a slight hold on the surface. But overall, it still looks like a fairly good batting track. With the dew already making its presence, it will be interesting to see how the spinners operate in the middle phase. And as the field spreads, Mitchell Santner introduces himself into the attack now, replacing James Neesham.

Oh, that has caught Tim Seifert by suprise and he might have copped a blow too. Serious wheels by Ferguson. He bashes the surface, and the ball keeps rising on its way to the batter. Markram flays at it but misses. Seifert hops and gets both gloves in front of his face to gather it. The ball ricochets off his gloves and catches him on the nose. The Powerplay is done with South Africa being 48/2.

Good cricket all around! Hard length, outside off, Dewald hops and rides the bounce to slap it with a bit of flair. Cole McConchie sprints to his right at deep point and slides to cut it off. Just a single.

Wide! Looked like the pace off option from Lockie. This slides down leg. Brevis walks inside the line but misses out on the glance.

Lockie hits the bat hard, on a short of a good length, around off. Brevis gets on top of it and punches it sweetly but it goes straight to cover-point.

Angled into the pads, on a good length. Dewald checks his shot as he nudges it to mid-wicket.

Ferguson hits the hard length and gets the ball to climb on the batter. Brevis gets his hands high and keeps it out.

Honing in on the off stump, on a length. Markram taps it with soft hands in front of cover and takes a quick single.

The final over of the Powerplay will be bowled by Lockie Ferguson.

FOUR! Copy-paste of the previous ball. Another full ball, width on offer, Dewald Brevis cashes in. Gets a good stride forward and middles it through covers for a boundary. 17 runs off the over.

FOUR! Gorgeous stroke! Neesham goes full and outside off, Dewald Brevis leans into the drive, places it perfectly between the cover and point gap for a cracking boundary.

Around middle and off, on a good length, Markram uses his wrists to tuck it wide of mid on for a run.

SIX! Wonderfully played! Neesham errs in line and length. Full on leg, Aiden Markram gets under it and whips it cleanly over the deep mid-wicket fence for a six.

Around off, good length, Markram plays off the front foot to the cover fielder.

WIDE! A bit too straight down leg, on a length, Markram gets inside the line and misses the flick. Wide called.

Slightly short, on off, Brevis knocks it between cover and mid off. Rachin Ravindra from cover dives to his right to cut it off and keeps it down to a single.

James Neesham comes into the attack, replacing Matt Henry.

Hard length, around off, Dewald presses back and dabs it wide of short third for a single.

Fuller in length at the sticks, Aiden pushes out in front. The ball dribbles off the inner half between mid-wicket and mid on. They cross.

FOUR! How often does this happen right after a dropped catch? Back of a length, outside off, Markram climbs onto it and punches it on the up through the mid off and cover gap for a boundary.

Did that carry? It certainly did. RACHIN RAVINDRA DROPS A CATCH. Angled at the pads, on a length. Aiden Markram tries to flick it square of the wicket, but miscues it off the edge to mid-wicket, where Rachin Ravindra dives and gets his hands to it, but puts it down. The ball hit him high on the wrist before dropping to the ground.

Slams the deck hard, angling in from middle to the leg stump. Markram backs away a bit and tries to hit it straight, but the ball beats the inside edge and rolls off the back thigh pad to short third.

Fires on a hard length, on leg, Markram punches it across to mid on.

Hits the deck hard, over off, Dewald Brevis presses in front and blocks it solidly.

Full and straight on the stumps, Brevis plays with a straight bat and drills it to the mid on fielder.

Oh, that kept low! A skiddy delivery, on off, on a length. Dewald Brevis covers the line and stabs it down the pitch.

Good length, on off, Aiden Markram punches it to the left of mid off and dashes off for a quick run.

On a hard length, angled at the pads. Markram misses out on tucking it across and wears on the front thigh pad.

FIVE WIDES! Hard length, angling way down leg and it keeps curving down after pitching. Markram lets it pass and the ball stays far from Tim Seifert's reach to his left and races away to the ropes.

Much fuller, on middle, squaring Markram up a bit. Aiden squeezes it to mid off.

FOUR! Edgy! Pushed through fuller, and on the off stump line. Dewald Brevis gets on the front foot to drive it to the cover region, but gets a thick outside edge and it races away through the vacant slip region to the fence behind.

Well, well. New Zealand have landed the first punch in this knockout bout through spin. Ryan Rickelton berates himself as he trudges off. Dewald Brevis walks out to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! TAKEN! Would you believe it? Two in two for Cole McConchie and he is on a hat-trick now. He goes short and outside off, and it spins away slightly. Ryan Rickelton presses back and slashes hard at it to cut it through the point gap, but the ball catches the outer half. It balloons to the backward point fielder. A simple catching practice for Finn Allen there.

One left-hander replaces the other. Here's Ryan Rickelton at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! The ploy to bring an offie early has worked wonders for the Kiwis. Cole drags the length back, keeping the line of attack on middle and leg, drifting in further. Quinton de Kock is cramped for space, but he still opts to hit it over the infield again, and mistimes it badly towards mid on. Lockie Ferguson settles under it and takes a simple catch at the edge of the ring. South Africa are 12/1.

FOUR! Clears the infield! Flat ball, full and outside off, Quinton de Kock advances down the track and whacks it over the mid on fielder for a boundary.

From around the stump. Stump line, on a fractionally fuller length, drifting in. Quinton de Kock stays put and pats it to cover.

Tossed up, full and on off, Aiden Markram gets on the front foot, plays with the spin and drives it to long on for a single.

It will be spin from the other end in the form of Cole McConchie. The offie will start from over the wicket. Mid on and mid-wicket are the two men back for Aiden Markram.

On top of off, on a good length, Quinton hangs back and punches it to short cover. 7 runs off the first over then.

SIX! And there she goes into the crowd! Shortish length, on the middle stump line, Quinton de Kock walks across the stumps, positions himself with a stable base and nails the pull shot behind deep backward square leg for a six.

A slight inward shape, on a length, tight on the off stump line. Quinton de Kock shanks it off the inner half to the mid-wicket fielder.

Hard length, on leg, stabbed off the back foot to mid-wicket.

On a back of a length, pitching just outside leg, and seemingly, holds in the surface a bit as well. Quinton de Kock plays off the back foot, trying to nudge it around the corner, but plays over it and wears on the thigh pad.

Off the mark straightaway! Not much movement on offer, touch full and on middle and leg. Aiden Markram plays from the crease and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Done with the national anthems, and it is time to set the ball rolling in this first semifinal. Not a full house just yet, but it is not far off either, and the atmosphere promises to be a special one for everyone involved. High fives from the Kiwis as they disperse from the huddle and spread out across the park. Proteas legend Shaun Pollock has been given the honour of ringing the bell to signify the start of play. Out walk the two South African openers, Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock. Back from paternity leave, Matt Henry will steam in first up for New Zealand. Markram to face the first ball. A slip in place. Here we go!

The giant flags of these two proud nations are unfurled as it is time for the national anthems. The match officials lead the way, followed by the two teams walking out alongside the mascots. It will be the national anthem of New Zealand first, followed by that of the Rainbow Nation.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham (In for Ish Sodhi), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen (In for Kwena Maphaka), Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada (In for Anrich Nortje), Keshav Maharaj (In for George Linde), and Lungi Ngidi.

Pleased by different guys stepping up - The skipper of South Africa, Aiden Markram, on being asked about what has pleased him the most as a captain, says that the way different guys have stepped up and contributed in different situations is something very positive. On the importance of runs on the board in the semifinal, he details that there could be a slight dew factor later on and also shares that even when they trained the last night, there was a bit of moisture around. So he feels that putting the runs on the board in a knockout game is never a bad thing. Says it is all about the way they start. Informs that they are going with three changes in the playing XI, which he calls the more usual combination, as Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen all come back.

We need to go out there and do our thing - New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner says they had a look at the pitch the other night and it looks pretty flat. Mentions that they will try to make early inroads with the ball and restrict South Africa. He acknowledges that South Africa are a strong outfit, as they have shown throughout the tournament, and adds that a little bit of pressure naturally comes with playing in a semifinal. Santner confirms that Matt Henry has made it back in time and features tonight. He also informs that James Neesham returns to the XI, coming in for Ish Sodhi, with the reason for the change being that he does not expect the wicket to turn as much as it did in Colombo.

TOSS - It is coming to toss time at the Eden Gardens. Both the captains - Aiden Markram and Mitchell Santner - are already out with the team sheets exchanged. The always lively Danny Morrison will lead the proceedings. Markram will spin the coin. Santner will call. Tails is the call from Santner. And he calls it right. NEW ZEALAND HAVE OPTED TO BOWL FIRST.

Who's up next for a chat? ​​​​​​Lockie Ferguson, it is. Lockie says it was a different style of cricket in Colombo, where teams relied a lot more on spin, and even the composition of the side had to change accordingly. He adds that quite a few players in the squad have played at this venue before, which helps with understanding the conditions. According to him, Eden Gardens is not too dissimilar to other Indian grounds, with a good batting track and a quick outfield. Ferguson shares that they know South Africa will come hard at them, so it will be about putting the ball in the right areas for long enough. He says it is an exciting occasion and the boys are up for it. When asked about how Matt Henry is tracking after the long travel, Lockie replies that he is doing great and adds that he has never seen him down. He mentions that the pacer will go through a fitness test and hopes that everything goes well.

A quick word - David Miller​​​​​, on the success and moving from the group stage to the semifinal cricket, says they are very excited, especially the way they have played throughout their campaign. Says for them, it is a new game and a fresh start, and the focus is just to continue doing the good things they have been doing. Expects for it to be a good wicket here, but stresses that the key will be assessing the conditions quickly once the game starts. Shares that everyone has prepared well and different players have contributed at different stages, which he underlines as a very healthy sign. On playing at Eden Gardens, Miller says a lot of them have played here before, be it in the IPL. Highlights that it can often be a high-scoring ground, and sometimes there's dew around, which you need to factor in. On the approach, Miller mentions that whether they bat or bowl first, it is important to put pressure on the opposition as early as possible.

PITCH REPORT - Pommie Mbangwa is pitchside. He begins with the dimensions, pointing out a slight bias in the square boundaries. Mentions that one side measures 62 metres while the other is 66 metres, with the straight boundary stretching to 74 metres. Adds that in the pockets at Eden Gardens are the practice pitches where the ball will land and skip across the turf. Aaron Finch joins him, and at one end, he notes a couple of cracks running down the off stump line for a right-hander, which are moving slightly. He expects the new ball to produce a bit of inconsistent bounce if it lands around those cracks. Once the ball gets older, though, it should come onto the bat nicely. Aaron shares that dew was minimal the other night, but conditions tonight could see more of it coming into play. Finch reckons that a total of around 190 should keep a side right in the contest, and he expects the pitch to get better for batting as the game progresses.

The mercy of the merciless format - Cricket is the game of uncertainties, especially this shortest format. You can control 18 overs and lose it all in two. You can be second best for most of the night and still walk away with the result. That is the fickle charm of this format. It rewards the side that stays together when things wobble. New Zealand, for all their consistency, have never beaten South Africa in a T20 World Cup so far. It is a small line in the record books, but it exists. The thing about this format, though, is that history rarely gets the final say. Let’s see who comes out on top this time around. Toss and teams coming up very shortly.

A Shangri-La for willow-wielders? Kolkata has certainly brought a smile to those with bat in hand in this T20 World Cup. On average, the first innings scores have regularly settled in the 180 to 190 range in this tournament, underlining just how true the surface has played. In the final Super Eights fixture here, even 196 was chased down by India against West Indies, a reminder that no total has felt entirely secure either. And yet, there is a subtle pattern beneath the run-fest. Teams batting first have won four of the six matches at this venue so far, with the dew factor making a huge impact as well.

The road to Eden - New Zealand’s semifinal ticket comes with a bit of air miles attached. They were in Sri Lanka not too long ago, grafting on slow and low surfaces where timing was hard-earned. Now they step into Kolkata, where the surface is expected to offer truer bounce and better value for shots. It is a different pace of cricket altogether. South Africa have not had to deal with that change. Their entire campaign has unfolded in India. Yet five of their seven matches have been in Ahmedabad, and that can be a double-edged advantage. When most of your tournament rhythm is built around one ground, the move to a new venue can subtly demand slight adjustments, be it with the bat or ball. And the fact that they have never played a T20I at Eden Gardens till date brings a unique set of challenges together as well.

The Battle of the Unbowed - Ned Stark played the game with honour and still lost his head. Jon Snow won battles and never quite claimed the crown. For years now, South Africa and New Zealand have lived a similar script. Too good to be eliminated early, too unlucky to ever lift the cup. But in a semifinal, the story gets rewritten, or it ends the same tragic way. Winter is almost here. Two proud houses walk in. Only one walks out with the chance to rewrite its ending. Fictions aside. Hello and welcome to our coverage of this southern hemisphere clash in the eastern part of India. The first semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026, is here, at the iconic Eden Gardens of Kolkata, where the Proteas take on the Black Caps.

... MATCH DAY ...

Here we go again - South Africa and World Cup semifinals. New Zealand and World Cup semifinals. It does seem a cliche, that both these sides turn up as favourites to AT LEAST reach this stage, but then, not progress further. And come the 2026 T20 World Cup, we are at this situation again, where only one of these units can make it to the final. As a cricket lover, it would be disappointing to see one good team bow out but that is how the game goes. We are down to the last 4 teams standing in this World Cup with the first semifinal set to take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata between South Africa and New Zealand. 1st ever knockout meet - Surprising, isn't it? In the 50-over format, the Proteas and the Kiwis have met thrice in World Cup knockouts - once in a quarterfinal and twice in the semis. But in the T20 format, this is their first meeting in a knockout scenario! Their 5 previous meetings including the one earlier this season in Ahmedabad have all been league matches, so that brings us to another perspective - knockout pressure. Ohh... please, don't! That's what most of the Saffa fans would be saying, at the mention of an ICC semifinal. Or, would they? Well, for those following Protean cricket from 1992, they have endured nothing but heartbreaks, till 2025. Yes, there was the odd Champions Trophy win, the inaugural season one, way back in 1998, but since then, it has just been heartbreaks. In 2025, they did flip the script by winning the Test Championship final, but has it done enough to wipe off the stains? Let's talk about just the semis for now - The Protea Men have featured in 14 semifinals across three ICC events in the white-ball format - Champions Trophy, ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup - but won just 2. And of the remaining unsuccessful attempts, there would be 4 which would be stinging them for dear life - 1. The epic Birmingham battle against Australia in the 1999 ODI World Cup. 2. The bizarre collapse against India in Colombo in the 2002 Champions Trophy (Remember, Herschelle Gibbs suffered cramps but the other batters felt the pain)? 3. The choke against Pakistan in Nottingham, in the 2009 T20 World Cup. 4. Last, but not the least, the butter-fingers Auckland heartbreak against New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup. These are scars which are pretty tough to get rid of. We are different - That's what THIS South African team would say. Yes, they are still struggling to get that ICC trophy in that cabinet, but they at least broke that rut in the red-ball format, by defeating Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final and would be eager to get their hands on the limited version now. Given the way things are panning out, if the Saffas do reach the final, there is a high likelihood of them meeting hosts India and that would be a perfect scenario for the team in Green to avenge their 2024 defeat. Strong showing, or just momentum? Well, the common saying is that numbers don't lie. If you look back at the last 12 months roughly, South Africa have won 15 out of 28 T20Is - That's a shade above 50 percent. Amongst Test-playing nations, they rank 6th in terms of matches won in this period, with Pakistan, India, New Zealand, England and even Bangladesh ranked above them. Still, they are looking as one of the sides to beat in this competition. Let's give you another set of numbers. The Proteas suffered a shock group stage exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup after a loss to the Netherlands. However, post that match, the Team In Green has played 16 matches in T20 World Cups and lost just the one - no points for guessing which one - the 2024 World Cup final, of course! The best by any team during this period. Coming to this World Cup alone, their batters have shown enough might. Stuttered just a wee bit against Zimbabwe and UAE, but twice, cantered to chases in excess of 175, one of them being against the Kiwis itself. On three occasions batting first, they have even crossed the 185-mark and overall they have not lost more than 7 wickets in an innings in this edition. If we check the list of batters who have scored more than 150 runs in this World Cup, we will find 5 members from the South African unit in this list. Only India match that feat. So clearly, there are no batting issues as such. But then... Is everything rosy on the bowling front? Umm... well, this can be debatable, whatever answer you choose. In terms of wickets picked, South Africa rank third, scalping 56 victims, behind Sri Lanka's 57 and England's 58. Their economy rate has also been decent, reading 7.73, the best by any team. To their credit, they have bowled out oppositions twice - neither being a minnow - Afghanistan and the Cup favourites, India. Still, there are issues. How? Let's analyze. Out of 7 occasions in this World Cup, thrice they have conceded scores in excess of 170. That one no ball of Kagiso Rabada against Afghanistan in the Ahmedabad thriller reminded everyone of the Jasprit Bumrah mishap against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, but luckily for the Saffas, the result went their way. So even if they have done well in 4 games out of 7 restricting oppositions, an efficiency of under 60 percent does not sound pretty good for a side which has been unbeaten in this edition so far. Just as we did for the batters, let's take a list for the bowlers as well. And we can spot the difference. For a minimum of 5 wickets taken in this tournament, the Proteas have 4 bowlers - Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj. Good enough? Sounds like a decent team performance, aye? Well, look further before you form your answer. England, West Indies and India have 6 bowlers in that list, while Sri Lanka have 5. From a positive aspect, three of South Africa's bowlers rank in the top 6. But it does appear that while the Team In Green has been decent with the new ball and at the death, the middle overs are a massive concern for them, as spin has picked just 9 wickets out of the total 52 by the bowlers (The 56 mentioned earlier includes run outs and other dismissals which were not caused by a bowler). The middle overs (7-15) are usually the ones for the spinners where they can slow down the opposition batters and pick up wickets. Bowlers do win you championships but just one set of bowlers won't be able to do it. The tweakers need to come into play soon. Always there and thereabouts - Best way to describe New Zealand, one guesses? Well, if South Africa are denoted by the 'C' word most of the times, the Kiwis have not been much better, have they? The Black Caps have featured in 17 semifinals in ICC events - wins? Just 6. And only 1 of those 6 has resulted in a trophy win, way back in 2000 against India - the Champions Trophy. So just like their opponents, New Zealand too, have a point or two to prove. They always come into any tournament as the dark horses - a definite place in the final four - maybe a 20 percent probability to reach the final - but when will they become the 'team to beat'? New Zealand got a few chances in their 'best ever era' - 2015 ODI World Cup final against Australia, 2019 ODI World Cup final against England and 2021 T20 World Cup final against Australia. These years can be considered as the greatest ever chances for the Kiwis to get past that final hurdle, but still, destiny would not have it. Not a good era for the Kiwis? No, we cannot say that way either. They are in the semifinals for a reason. In 10 editions of the T20 World Cup, this is the 5th time that the Black Caps have reached the final four. Only India (6), England (6) and Pakistan (6) have reached more semis. Still, one does not feel the same kind of aura that we used to get when the likes of Southee and Boult were playing together. Since the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup, New Zealand have played 5 T20I series at home - won 3. In the same period, they have played 3 T20I series away from home - won 1, lost 1 and drawn 1. Hence, there is no dominance as such. Dibbly-dobbly tournament - How we used to love this word, didn't we? It was a term coined for bowlers in the 90s who used to gently trot to the wicket and bowl wonderful inswingers and outswingers, comfortably beating the batters even with that lack of pace. Chris Harris was probably the favourite of the commentators then. New Zealand's performance in this World Cup has been more or less that way only. 2 massive wins over Afghanistan and UAE to kickstart their tournament, followed by a drubbing against South Africa in Ahmedabad. Before shifting base to Colombo, the Kiwis ended their Chennai leg unblemished, beating Canada. Then came the rain-abandoned game against Pakistan, followed by a win over Sri Lanka and then, a loss to England, just enough to ensure that their net run rate was better than that of Pakistan's. So in short, whom have the Kiwis beaten in this tournament so far? Afghanistan, UAE, Canada and Sri Lanka. Whom have they lost against? South Africa and England - two of the other teams who have made it to the semis. It may not be wrong if we say that New Zealand have reached this stage more because of things falling their way, rather than they earning it outright. Strong batting, weak bowling - Like the Proteas, the Kiwis have done supremely well with the bat in this tournament. Batting first thrice, they have posted at least 150 every time. And while chasing, gunned down targets in excess of 170 every time. They have three batters who have scored more than 150 runs in this competition, but two of those three bat in the top three. So it does appear that a lot hinges on that top order. And that is exactly where the two teams in this match differ. The top order (1-3) for New Zealand averages 37.14 in this World Cup, which is not too far from South Africa's 37.05. But when we come to the middle order comparison (batting order 4-7), the Black Caps average 31.3, while the Proteas are flying high at 45.27 - the best in this tournament by any team. The bowling though, is a massive issue for the Kiwis. Only once in 6 matches in this edition, has the Kiwi bowling unit conceded less than 160. Only 33 wickets have fallen to the Black Caps in this edition so far, which ranks 9th in the wickets picked overall by all units (fielding plus bowling) in this competition. Jacob Duffy, who was the top-ranked bowler in the ICC T20I rankings not too long ago, has picked up just 3 wickets at an average of 40.33 and a shocking economy by his standards - 10.08. Lockie Ferguson has been threatening to roll back the years, but he has not been able to produce the desired results yet. Matt Henry has easily been the best bowler for New Zealand - 7 wickets at an average of 21.71 and an economy of 7.41. But will he be able to feature in this clash? Having departed for home after the Black Caps' last match against England, to attend the birth of his second child, there is no official news of him returning for this clash, although the captain and the coaching camp seem pretty certain that he should be available for this clash. Rachin Ravindra has picked up 9 wickets and is the leading wicket taker for them this season but let that not fool you - 7 of those wickets came in 2 matches, at the same ground - R.Premadasa, in Colombo. So there are definitely bowling woes for New Zealand, and if Henry is not available, it will just compound matters even more. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - SA - WWWWW | NZ - LWWLW. A good tussle - SA vs NZ always gives the viewers a good tussle. Historically, in 19 encounters in T20Is, the Proteas have won 12 times. But when it comes to T20 World Cups, it has been 5-0 in favour of the Saffas! The previous meeting in Ahmedabad was a proof of their dominance. But as mentioned earlier, this is the first time the two teams are meeting each other in a knockout match of a T20 World Cup. In the ODI format, they have met each other thrice in knockouts - once in the quarters and twice in the semis - with the Saffas yet to register a win over New Zealand! The latest heartbreak was the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal in Lahore. Additionally, in their last 6 white-ball meetings, the Kiwis have won 5. So the historical numbers do seem to fall towards the Black Caps, but will the T20 format bring about a change in those numbers? Rain in the air? Hard to rule out rain in an ICC knockout match when either of these sides is playing. There was the threat of rain during the India-West Indies match but thankfully, it did not turn out to be true. However, an earthquake did hit parts of West Bengal on Sunday morning, with the epicentre at Dhaka. So there might be some possible aftershocks in the form of tremors or small quakes, but should not be anything dangerous. Irrespective, if mother nature does not allow us to complete this match on Wednesday, there is a reserve day kept on Thursday for the same. Pitch expectations - In the 6 matches played at Eden in this World Cup, only 2 have been won chasing. But 5 of those games were played during day time. The latest match to be played here was the final match of the Super Eight stage between India and West Indies, the only one to be played with a 7 pm local time start, where chasing did seem a lot easier though. Neither of these sides has played a match at this venue in this World Cup yet. In fact, this will be the first time that the Proteas will get to play a T20I at this venue. They had a match scheduled against India in 2015, in early October, but that got washed out. The Kiwis, on the other hand, have played a couple of T20Is here - winning against Bangladesh in 2016 but losing against India in 2021. Long time back. Would that experience count? Usually, in the IPL, it is spin to win at the Eden. But so far at this World Cup, pace has scalped 51 batters as opposed to spin's 33. Additionally, the dew factor might just coax captains to prefer an extra seamer, if necessary, rather than an extra spinner. That seam preference might just give an edge to Aiden Markram's unit.