Zimbabwe vs South Africa, ICC MT20 WC, 2026 Mar 1 Full score card

South Africa remain undefeated as they win this by 5 wickets. Slower one, short and on off, Tristan Stubbs drags this across with a pull through mid-wicket and takes a couple to wrap this contest in favor of the Proteas.

NO BALL! Pitched up, around off, Tristan Stubbs drives this straight to Sikandar Raza at mid off for a dot. The batters looks for a run but this is timed a bit too well by Stubbs. Hang on, the siren goes around signaling a no ball. Free Hit up next.

Linde was eyeing a boundary here. On a length wide of off, George Linde stays leg side and looks to loft this over covers but gets it edged off the inside half of the blade and the ball goes towards short fine leg for a single. 50 of the stand comes up between these two, in 42 balls.

Slower one, short and wide of off, Tristan Stubbs cuts this to deep point for another strike rotation. The 150 is up for the Proteas.

Good length around off, George Linde cuts this well towards point but a good effort from Wellington Masakadza as he gets a good bit of hand to it and takes the sting out of it, keeps it down to one.

Blessing Muzarabani bends his back and hits the deck hard and bowls it around the off stump. Tristan Stubbs punches this off his back foot to sweeper cover for a single.

Dragged length, wide outside off, slapped off the back foot to deep point for a single.

Bowled from the front of the hand, full and outside off, driven with an angled bat towards backward point.

WIDE. Loopy delivery, floated up wide outside off stump and just beyond the tramline as well. Tristan Stubbs leaves it alone for a wide.

Flat and full, just outside off, Linde stays leg side of the ball and hits it down to long off for a run.

Length ball, angled into the pads, Stubbs turns it through mid-wicket for one more.

Fired in now, at the toes, Linde flicks it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! The finishing line is in sight now for the Proteas. Full and down the leg side, Linde sits down and sweeps it aerially over the short fine leg region and picks up a boundary.

Fired on middle and off, George Linde rocks back and smashes this to wide long on for a single.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs rolls this down to long on for a run. 17 needed off the last 25 balls.

Pushed through on the pads, George Linde smashes this to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

FOUR! This is poor from Brian Bennett. Fired onto the pads, a bit too much leg sidish from Brian Bennett. George Linde goes deep inside the crease and hits this wide to the right of the fielder at short fine leg for a boundary.

Fuller around off, Tristan Stubbs tucks this through mid-wicket and rotates the strike again.

Brian Bennett comes around the stumps, tosses this up on off. George Linde pushes this through covers for a single.

Quicker one, around the pads, George Linde rises with the bounce and chips this to deep mid-wicket's right for a single.

A tad short and on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs punches this through mid on and rotates the strike.

Tossed up, on off, Tristan Stubbs hits this well but straight to the fielder.

A genuine leggie from Ryan Burl, tossed up around off, turning away from the right-hander. Tristan Stubbs looks to drive this one through covers but misses out and the ball beats his outside edge.

Quicker one, full and on off, Tristan Stubbs pushes this to covers for no run.

Burl starts with a slider on middle and leg, George Linde rocks back and nudges this through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! South Africa seem to have just done enough here. 28 more needed off 36 balls and Corbin Bosch still to come. If Zimbabwe are to win, they need a couple of breakthroughs quickly after the break otherwise a couple of more boundaries here and there, and it will be too late. Sikandar Raza is bowled out and the likes of Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans might have to step up here as the others haven't managed to make an impact. Both have an over left. For the Proteas, Tristan Stubbs will have to take the responsibility and stay on till the end to ensure a victory. Also, Ryan Burl comes into the attack for the first time in this game.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and tucks this gently through the mid-wicket region. He places this well in the gap and the batters take two.

Back of a length around middle and off, Tristan Stubbs hits this in the gap through mid-wicket and scampers back for two.

Hard length around off, George Linde cuts this to the right of backward point and a good effort by the fielder to his right keeps it down to just one run.

An appeal for caught behind from Tadiwanashe Marumani and even Brad Evans joins him this time. Brad Evans comes around the stumps and bowls it short and on off, George Linde gets up on his toes and looks to play this late and guide this through short third. Linde misses out on any sort of connection with the bat but both the bowler and the keeper heard something and appealed for it but the umpire turns it down. Raza sends this upstairs. Nothing on the UltraEdge as the ball passes the bat and Zimbabwe loses a review.

Pitched up, on off, Tristan Stubbs leans ahead and pushes this through mid off for a single.

Bowled into the pitch and over off, stays a bit low, Tristan Stubbs defends it down the pitch.

Just 34 needed off 42 balls but Zimbabwe will be more concerned with the wickets. With that said, Brad Evans comes back into the attack.

Pushed through on off, George Linde keeps it out off his back foot. A tidy over from Wellington Masakadza.

Tossed up, around middle and leg, George Linde goes down on a knee and slogs this towards the left of wide long on for a couple of runs to close the over.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg. George Linde leaves it. Wided.

Tossed up, on off, Tristan Stubbs drives this down to long off and rotates the strike.

Full and on off, George Linde rolls this down to long on for a single.

Full and on the pads, George Linde tucks this to short fine leg for no run.

Quicker and flatter around off, Tristan Stubbs punches this through mid off and takes a single.

Good half stop from the skipper. Short and wide outside off, there to be hit. Tristan Stubbs slaps it hard but Sikandar Raza at covers makes a tumbling stop to his left and parries it behind. Just a single, so three runs saved for Zimbabwe.

Flatter delivery on leg, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Oh, that's a poor delivery, all the pressure is released now. Juicy full toss on middle, George Linde gets under it and gets a hold of the heave, smacking it wide of long on for a six.

Shorter in length, Stubbs works it through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Flatter one around off, pushed through, Linde backs away and hits it through point for one more.

Dragged length on off, turning away and stays a shade low as well. Stubbs pushes it through the gap at covers and picks up a single.

Flatter one, on a good length, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and punches it down to long on for one.

Dragged length on middle and leg, tucked away past square leg for a single.

It's getting interesting now. The well-settled Brevis is gone, which means two new batters will be at the crease. George Linde is in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Zimbabwe have belief once again. A round-arm delivery from Sikandar Raza, floated up around middle. Dewald Brevis sits down and looks to slog sweep but one hand comes off the handle as he connects with the ball and ends up skying it high over mid on. Ryan Burl runs in from long on and slides forward to take a brilliant catch. Brevis' quickfire knock comes to an end and Sikandar Raza punches the air in delight. Actually, replays show that it was the carrom ball from Raza. South Africa are 101/5, still needing 53 more from 56.

A touch short, on the leg stump, Stubbs tucks it away to deep square leg for a single.

Fired onto the pads, on a length, Brevis nudges it to deep square leg's left for a run. 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

SIX! Superb stroke! Full ball fired in at middle from over the wicket at 91.6 kph. Dewald gets right under it and, with a clean vertical bat swing, launches it 76 metres over the long off boundary.

Tristan Stubbs walks out next to bat for South Africa.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, a soft dismissal and David Miller will be disappointed here. Back of a length, angled across off, Miller stays back and just lets the ball come on, looking to glide it away. However, he gets it right off the face of the blade and ends up pushing it straight into the hands of the short third fielder. Dion Myers makes no mistake and Miller has to depart.

Change of pace from Muzarabani. Slower length ball, slanted across off, Miller looks to drive but misses.

FOUR! Under a-run-a-ball required now for South Africa. A touch full and outside off, not overpitched, David Miller gets a half stride out and just caresses it past extra cover for a boundary and holds the pose as well. The 50-run stand is also up between these two, off just 23 balls.

Good length on off, Miller looks to run it down to deep third but ends up chopping down towards the gully region.

Hard length outside off, Brevis gets on his toes and punches it down through covers for a run.

SIX! It's raining sixes in Delhi! Back of a length and over middle, Muzarabani extracts extra bounce due to his height. However, Dewald Brevis is waiting for it and swivels onto the back foot, whacking the pull over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

SIX! Muscled away for another maximum, 17 runs off Masakadza's first over. Shorter this time, on leg again, David Miller stays deep in the crease and hoicks it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. Just 72 needed now off 66 balls.

FOUR! Swung away to the fence. On the pads, Miller takes the front leg out and heaves it away just behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Flat again, on a dragged length, Miller jams it out to covers.

Flatter delivery, pitches around leg stump and Miller misses the backfoot-pull, getting hit on the pads. A stifled appeal from the keeper and nothing more.

SIX! Up, up and away! Full ball on leg, right in the slot and also the swinging arc. David Miller clears the front leg and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Good length, angled into middle and leg, Brevis backs away and slaps it hard to deep cover for a single.

BEATEN! Half a shout for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. Zimbabwe do not review it either. Regardless, a pearler from Muzarabani as this is bashed hard on a length, in the channel of off. It lands, nips away. Miller hangs his bat loosely away from the body to block and is beaten on the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

Slower ball, on a good length, on off, Brevis presses back and dinks it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A lovely-looking shot! Slightly fuller and outside the off stump. Dewald Brevis gets on the front foot, gets his head right on top of the ball and creams it past the cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

A bit too full, on the leg stump. David Miller flicks it to the left of the bowler. Blessing Muzarabani extends his wingspan, but still, the ball stays out of his reach and rolls down to long on for a single.

Attacks the stumps with a skiddy ball, on a good length. Miller waits back and dabs it in front of backward point.

Full, straight, on leg, Miller flicks it to mid-wicket.

Blessing Muzarabani (1-0-8-0) comes back into the attack to replace Brad Evans.

SIX! 'Catch it' is the shout, but it will be caught in the crowd! Very full from Graeme, on off and middle. Dewald Brevis gets right underneath it by moving his front leg away and clubs it over the long off fence for a six. 16 runs from the over. 29 from the last 2 for South Africa.

Short, but does not rise enough, on off. Dewald Brevis presses back and punches it to the vacant deep cover region. The deep point fielder covers a lot of ground and slides to cut it off in the outfield. Two taken.

Spins in a touch, full and on off, David Miller tries to push it to the off side, but inside edges it into the square leg region for a single.

Nicely tossed up, on the stumps, watchfully blocked by Miller.

Quicker and flatter, on leg, Dewald whips it to deep square leg for a single. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

SIX! That's a huge hit! It sounded so nice off the bat. 50th T20I six for Brevis, informs Shaun Pollock on air. Overpitched on the leg stump. Dewald Brevis clears the front leg to give himself some space and tonks it high and handsome over long on for a biggie.

On a back of a length, outside off, Miller lets it pass. South Africa end their Powerplay on 43/3.

DRINKS! A fascinating passage of play and Zimbabwe are firmly in the game right now. South Africa still have plenty of batting to come but they will have to apply themselves better in the phase after the Powerplay. A couple of more wickets before the halfway mark and Zimbabwe will feel they have a good chance of winning. With that said, David Miller walks out to bat now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! A superman effort from Burl in the deep. A well-directed short ball dug into the pitch, and rising at shoulder height of the batter. Ryan Rickelton shapes up to pull it behind deep square leg, but the ball spits up a bit from the pitch and takes the top edge. It flies high, but not far enough in the deep mid-wicket region. Ryan Burl kind of misjudges the trajectory but adjusts himself at the very last second as he dives to his right and completes the catch. He almost misjudges it but manages to cling on.

Slammed really hard into the pitch, outside off. Ryan Rickelton lines up for a pull shot, but misses to connect. Tadiwanashe Marumani appeals for caught behind and he is really interested, but Brad Evans turns back and walks to his bowling mark. Ryan Burl is the acting captain as Sikandar Raza is off the field for a moment and they do no go upstairs.

Back of a length, skidding through and nipping back in. Ryan Rickelton tries to square cut it through point, but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball stays low.

WIDE! Spills it far outside off, full in length, Rickelton ignores as it breaches the tramline.

SIX! Change of pace, but the result is the same! Slower and fuller by Evans, on off. Ryan Rickelton picks the variation early, gets in a good position before he whips it cleanly behind deep mid-wicket for another six.

SIX! Absolutely belted! Evans serves it fuller and on the leg stump line. Ryan Rickelton clears the front leg and smokes it over cow corner. Not exactly off the middle of the bat, but enough on it to clear the fence for half a dozen runs.

Good length, around off and middle, and this is gently knocked down to long on for a single.

The carrom ball, on a length, on off, Brevis works it through mid-wicket for a single.

A touch short, outside off, punched off the back foot to cover.

In-angler on a fuller length, on leg. Rickelton hangs back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That has gone many a mile! Slightly overpitched, on leg, Ryan Rickelton makes room by staying leg side and golfs it downtown for a huge six.

Skiddy delivery from around the stump, goes straight with the arm. Ryan Rickelton backs away and pats it back to the bowler.

Hard length on top of off, Dewald Brevis defends this off his back foot.

Good length on the pads, Dewald Brevis tucks this through the right of mid-wicket and hustles back for two.

On a length around off, Dewald Brevis pushes this to extra cover.

Good length on off, Ryan pushes this gently to mid off and takes a quick single.

Thankfully, Rickelton smiles and is finally good to continue. Will we see another bumper here?

RYAN IS ROCKED! A bumper, around the right shoulder of Ryan Rickelton from Brad at full throtle and Ryan goes for the hook but misses. Gets thumped onto the front of his helmet. The ball deflects to square leg but Ryan Rickelton looks rattled as he takes his helmet off his head. The South African team physio has rushed in to have a check on the batter. A prolonged check on Ryan adds to the concern for Rickleton's well-being but it is good to see that the batter is still up on his feet and is smiling. After a long check, Ryan is good to continue.

Good length on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton drives this to mid off for a dot.

FOUR! A boundary from the bat of Brevis to get him off the mark. Quicker and flatter around off, Dewald Brevis rocks back and plays the square cut well. Gets it past backward point and the ball has raced to the fence for four.

Two down early for the Proteas. Dewald Brevis is in at number 4.

Ooooh! That one just didn't rise enough from the pitch as goes almost underground. And Raza's joy knows no bounds.

OUT! TIMBER! The Proteas are put under pressure from Raza's brilliance. Seam up, full and in the line of the stumps, Aiden Markram backs away and looks to punch this through covers but the ball doesn't bounce as much as the batter expected it to and gets cleaned up. The in-form Aiden Markram departs for 4 off 5.

Floated onto the pads, Ryan Rickelton tucks it around square leg for a strike rotation.

Tossed up, on leg, Ryan Rickelton goes for a flick but gets it edged off the outside to extra cover.

Full and on off, Ryan Rickelton backs away and drives this well but straight to wide mid off.

Good length on the pads, Aiden Markram works this away to deep mid-wicket for one.

Hard length on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton pulls this flat to mid-wicket for no run.

SIX! Back of a length on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton plants his front foot away from the line of it and pulls this over the fence towards deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Short and on middle and off, Aiden Markram gets it away from the inside of his bat to the right of Sikandar Raza at mid on for one.

Good length on middle and off, Ryan goes back and guides this to third man region for a run.

Blessing Muzarabani goes full, and angling it across the batter. Ryan Rickelton takes a baby step out in front and goes after it but gets beaten on the outside.

Hard length on off, Ryan Rickelton keeps it out off his back foot.

Assuming Blessing Muzarabani will take the ball from the other end. Bingo. Here's Zimbabwe's most successful bowler this World Cup into the attack.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton strides out in front and milks this through mid on for a run to end the over.

Pushed through on off, Aiden Markram goes back inside the crease and milks this through mid on for another single.

Floated onto the pads, Ryan Rickelton flicks this through mid-wicket for a run.

Raza can do nothing wrong today. Provides a massive breakthrough in the very first over. Ryan Rickelton is the next batter in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Sikandar Raza bowls from around the stumps to Quinton de Kock, darts one just outside off. Quinton de Kock looks to play the late cut off the back foot but slashes under it and outside edges this back to Tadiwanashe Marumani behind the stumps. The ball sticks in his gloves. A duck for Quinton de Kock and Zimbabwe are off to a great start.

Short and wide of off, Quinton de Kock punches this to short cover for no run.

Fired into the pads from Raza, Aiden Markram rocks back and tucks this through mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

A couple to end the Zimbabwean innings. Back of a length on middle and off, Clive Madande smashes this through mid on and takes a couple. Zimbabwe post 153 on the board after 20 overs.

FOUR! Yorker again from Corbin on off this time, Clive Madande brings out the reverse ramp and hits this right behind the stumps for four runs. Anrich Nortje puts in a good effort, running to his right from fine leg to cut it off, but fails to do so. 150 comes up for Zimbabwe.

Corbin goes for a yorker again but misses and lands a full toss on the pads. Wellington Masakadza tucks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

The next batter is Wellington Masakadza.

OUT! TIMBER! Yorker, bang in the line of the sticks. Brad Evans steps across and looks to sweep this behind square on leg but misses. The ball sneaks past the batter and rattles the timber. Zimbabwe are 146/7 as Bosch gets his second wicket.

Good length on middle and leg, Clive Madande flicks this to long on for a run.

Bosch bowls it full and on middle and leg, Clive Madande drills this straight down the ground for a brace as Tristan Stubbs cuts it to his left from long on.

One over to go. Zimbabwe will be targeting 155 runs, but can they get there? It will be Corbin Bosch to bowl the final over of the innings.

Yet another slower one, on middle and off, Clive Madande chips this short of long on for a single.

Low full toss, on off, Clive Madande tucks this through mid-wicket for a couple this time.

Hard length onto the pads, Brad Evans tucks this to short fine leg for a run.

SIX! Brad connects with the bat this time and gets plenty behind it. Another slower one, full and wide of off, Brad Evans leans onto the delivery and lofts this over the fence towards sweeper cover for a biggie.

Good length, wide outside off, Brad Evans swings at it but doesn't connect with the ball once again.

Slower one, full and wide of off, Brad Evans looks to drag this across with a sweep but misses.

NO BALL! Beamer over the waist of the batter and Brad Evans swings at it. Gets it top-edged to short fine leg where the fielder catches it but doesn't celebrate as everyone expects the umpire to call this a no-ball. This is sent upstairs for an official check and the replay shows that the ball is above the waist of Brad when he hits it and it is a no ball.

Short and on off, Clive Madande goes for the upper-cut but misses out as the ball goes past him and the keeper collects it.

Slower one, short and on off, Brad Evans pulls this through mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length on middle and off. Brad Evans shuffles across and goes for a ramp but does not connect with the ball.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Clive Madande tucks this through mid on for a single.

FOUR! Punched in the gap for four from Clive Madande. Good length around off, Clive Madande presses in front and smashes this through the right of extra cover for a boundary.

Good length, pace on, wide of off. Clive Madande slashes hard at it but misses out.

Slower one, good length around off. Brad Evans goes for the flick and misses out. The ball hits Brad high on his thigh pad on the left leg.

Wide yorker, outside off, Brad Evans goes for a drive but misses out and gets beaten on the outside.

Back of a length and wide of off, Brad Evans swings at it but misses out.

A true captain's knock comes to an end from Raza. Scored a responsible 73 in the overall team score of 126. That's more than half the runs. Brad Evans is in at number 8. He has displayed the ability to hit a few lusty blows as well. Notably, his 43 off just 21 balls against West Indies. Zimbabwe would hope to get a similar kind of hand from him to get past the 150 mark.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kwena Maphaka changes the angle and comes around the stumps, cramps Raza for room by bowling it on a length and on leg. Sikandar Raza looks to flick this around the mid-wicket region but closes the bat face early and gets a massive leading edge. The ball flies over the inner ring and David Miller at point calls for it and holds onto it. The 39-run partnership is broken and Zimbabwe are 126/6.

SIX! Raza is putting on a show for the fans of cricket. On a length around middle and off, Sikandar Raza clears his front foot and plants it towards his leg. Slogs this out of the park towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massive six.

Wide yorker outside off, Sikandar Raza leans back and looks to slice this through backward point but misses out.

This partnership is gaining some steam toward the backend. It is now worth 33 runs, with most of the heavy lifting done by Raza. Kwena Maphaka (3-0-15-1) to bowl out now. He replaces Lungi Ngidi.

Short ball into the surface, pushed wide outside off, Clive Madande walks across for the scoop again but is beaten.

FOUR! That's nicely done. Yorker-length delivery, tails back into the toes, Raza jams it down to the right of mid on for a single. Clive Madande premeditates and shuffles to the off side. Bosch slows it up and bowls it full and at the batter. Madande manages to lap it away wide of Anrich Nortje at short fine leg for a boundary.

A yorker now, on off stump, jammed off the inside edge and just into the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Crunched away by Raza. Full and around off, Sikandar Raza steps out, converts it into a full toss and nails it through square covers for a boundary.

Oh, how has that missed the leg stump? Pitched further up on middle, darts back in, Sikandar Raza throws the kitchen sink in the heave across the line but misses and the ball goes past the leg stump as well.

Good length on middle, angling in, Clive Madande lifts it back over the bowler's head. Tristan Stubbs at long on, tidies up to his left and keeps it down to a single.

Right. Last 5 overs to go. Corbin Bosch (2-0-20-1) is brought back on, replacing Anrich Nortje.

Slower one, into the surface and over off, Raza gets inside the line to angle the pull but fails to get it away.

FOUR! That's been hammered away. Length ball outside off, Sikandar Raza charges down the pitch, gets his head down and slams it over the cover region for a boundary.

Yorker-length delivery, tails back into the toes, Raza jams it down to the right of mid on for a couple of runs.

That's perfect from Ngidi. Slower ball, full and lands it just inside the tramline outside the off stump. Raza leaves it in hope of a wide but he won't get the call.

Full and wide outside off, Madande goes on one knee, and angles it down to deep third for a single.

Madande walks down the pitch again and Ngidi bowls the dipping slower delivery outside off. Madande fails to drive it away and the ball sneaks under the bat.

WIDE. Short of a length, pushed a long way outside off, Madande wanders down the track and looks to cut but misses.

DRINKS! A defiant captain’s knock from Sikandar Raza, who stands as the lone warrior for the Chevrons in an otherwise struggling batting unit. To post a competitive total, Raza desperately needs his teammates to anchor the other end and rally the score toward the 150-160 mark, though even that may prove insufficient against the powerhouse opposition. Conversely, South Africa will aim to either dismiss the opposition skipper or strategically starve him off the strike to ensure Zimbabwe is restricted to a sub-150 total. Lungi Ngidi (2-0-10-1) replaces Kwena Maphaka after the hydration break.

Hard length outside off, pushed away square through the off side for one.

Very full, angled into the toes, Raza hangs back and backs away a bit, easing it through mid on for a run.

Hard length angled into the pads, Clive Madande misses the flick and gets it off the thigh pad, behind square for a leg bye. 100 UP FOR ZIMBABWE!

Banged in a bit short and wide, fast too, Raza slashes it down to deep third and picks up a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Back-of-the-hand slower ball, overpitched on leg stump, Raza backs away, waits well and drills it between cover and mid off for a boundary.

A big swing and a miss! Good length over middle hammered into the deck, Sikandar Raza backs away and looks to clobber it over mid-wicket but misses the ball by a long way.

FIFTY for the Zimbabwe skipper, Sikandar Raza. Off just 29 balls. His first of this T20 World Cup. Slower again, full and on middle, worked away through mid-wicket for a single. This has been a solid knock from Sikandar Raza but needs to dig deep now, and he knows that as well.

Oh, that's nicely bowled. The off cutter from Maphaka, slightly full and on off, this one shoots up after pitching. Sikandar Raza is taken by surprise and gets beaten past the outside edge again.

Beaten! Slower one, on a length and angled across off. Sikandar Raza looks to heave across the line but the ball stays low and beats the bat.

FOUR! Easy pickings. Shortish length on leg, Sikandar Raza tickles it down to fine leg and the ball rolls away into the fence. Raza moves on to 49 now.

Good-length delivery, angled across off, Raza stands tall and taps it down to covers.

Pitched up on middle and leg, Clive Madande looks to flick but gets an outside edge down to deep third for a single.

On a fractionally fuller length, outside off, Clive Madande push-drives off the front foot to deep point for a single.

Good length, jagging back in a touch, around off. Clive Madande presses forward and taps it to the cover region with soft hands.

Clive Madande is the next batter in.

OUT! BOWLED! RIGHT THROUGH HIS DEFENCE! 66/2 becomes 87/5 for Zimbabwe. Quick, full and tailing into middle and leg. Munyonga is hurried by the pace, caught flat-footed as he tries to whip it across the line. He plays all around it, the ball sneaks past the inside edge and crashes into the leg stump, leaving him completely undone. The leg stump goes for a walk and the Chevrons lose half their side.

Pitched full and angling on the pads. Raza gets out of the crease, tries to heave, but plays it off the inner half through wide mid on for only a run.

Nips back in on a length, on middle, Tony plays with a vertical bat and knocks it to the left of mid on for a single.

Full and on middle, Raza flicks it in the vast deep mid-wicket space for a single.

Excellent bowling! Hurls in a length ball but by taking all the pace off, outside the off stump. Tony Munyonga flirts at it, attempting for the back foot square cut, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker. A wicket and just 4 runs from this over.

A dipping slower ball, around off, Sikandar Raza moves across the crease, takes it on the full and drills it to long on for a single.

Varies his pace as he goes slow at just 117.2 kph, on a fuller length, outside off. Tony is early in his shot as he checks the drive, but ends up chipping it in the air, but in the cover and point gap for a single.

BEATEN! A snorter from Ngidi. Zips through the deck, on a good length, outside off. Tony Munyonga's feet go nowhere and he tries to slash it away from his body, with no conviction and ends up getting beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Ryan Burl departs and Tony Munyonga replaces him in the middle with the bat.

OUT! LBW! Zimbabwe keep losing wickets at regular intervals, and Raza is left stranded at the other end. Ngidi fires in a fuller ball which angles into the batter, from middle to leg. Ryan Burl gets across off and tries to flick it to the leg side, but plays over the line and misses to connect, wearing it on the front pad. Big appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger this time. Burl is a bit too reluctant, but he does opt for a review after having a word with his skipper. Nothing on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball projected to crash into the leg stump. The on-field decision stays and Zimbabwe are now 82/4.

Touch full, angling on the pads, Burl nudges it through mid-wicket and they hare back for the second run.

Darted into the blockhole, Raza jams the bat down in the nick of time to squeeze it back to the bowler.

Attempts to fire a yorker in at the off pole. Raza takes it on the full but punches it straight to extra cover.

MISFIELD, FOUR! Maphaka could have done much better there. Tossed up on middle, Raza bends down to sweep. Maphaka charges in for the catch but gets caught in no man’s land as the ball drops just short of him, and he cannot stop it from running away to the boundary.

SIX! Sails over the ropes! Dropped full and on leg, Sikandar Raza gets down on a knee and sweeps it using his wrists behind long leg for a six.

An appeal for LBW, the umpire turns it down. Fired on a fuller length, around the leg stump line. Raza sits down to paddle sweep it, but plays all over it, wearing it on the front pad. A big appeal for LBW from Quinton de Kock, but the umpire stays put. Markram and Miller join the conversation and hang on, they have gone upstairs for a review. Looked to be pitching outside leg in real time, though. Nothing on UltraEdge, and the Ball Tracking reveals the ball is clearly pitching outside leg, and that too, by a long way. The on-field decision is upheld and South Africa burn a review.

Bowls from around the stump. Short, on off, Burl backs away in the crease and cuts it through the backward point and cover gap for a single.

Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack now.

Slowish delivery, full at 86.6 kph, on middle and leg, Burl flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. A successful over for the Proteas and Linde. Just three singles and a wicket from it.

Touch short, outside off, Raza crunches it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

Nagging length, sliding in with the arm, on the pads. Raza misses to whip it across and wears on the thigh pad.

Too full, on off, carved away through mid off for a run.

End of a brewing partnership. In comes Ryan Burl at number 5.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND CAUGHT! Linde gets his first wicket and breaks the budding 38-run partnership. Linde slows it up a bit and drags the length by a few yards, but the line of attack stays on the stumps. Dion Myers gets down on his knee to slog it over deep mid-wicket, but fails to get under it properly and ends up top edging it to mid-wicket. Dewald Brevis hauls in from the ropes and settles under it to take a safe catch. Zimbabwe are 66/3 as a disappointed Dion Myers trudges off to the dugout.

Sees Dion advance and Linde fires in a full ball on middle. Myers tries to whip it to the leg side, but yorks himself, inside edging it to the front boot.

Hard length on off, Dion Myers punches this to long off for a run to end the over. An expensive one from Anrich Nortje.

Back of a length on leg, Dion Myers once again exposes his stumps and moves away to his leg. Pulls this through the left of mid-wicket for a couple as Tristan Stubbs does well to cut it off before the fence running to his right from long on.

On a length, slanting into the batter. Dion Myers backs away a bit and pushes this grounded to extra cover.

WIDE! On a length down the leg, Dion Myers leaves it. Wide given by the umpire.

Good length on leg, Sikandar Raza gets it away through mid-wicket and rotates the strike. 11 runs off the first 3 balls of this Anrich Nortje over.

SIX! Raza is on fire and playing a skipper's knock. Hard length on middle and off, Sikandar Raza clears his front foot and plants it to his leg and pulls this over the fence towards the cow corner region for a biggie.

FOUR! Sensational from Sikandar Raza. Back of a length around off, Sikandar Raza shimmies away to his leg and punches this right in the gap between mid off and extra cover for a boundary.

Fired into the batter, around middle and leg. Dion Myers looks to push this in the gap at covers but gets it edged off the inside onto the pads.

Darted onto the pads, Sikandar Raza milks this to long on for one.

Quicker and flatter on off, Sikandar Raza rocks back and punches this to the right of Anrich Nortje at sweeper cover for a couple of runs this time.

Pushed through on off, Dion Myers drives this through extra cover for a run.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza goes deep inside the crease and tucks this through mid on for another strike rotation.

Floated on off, Dion Myers rocks back and punches this through the covers region for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! The pitch does not look like a belter as the odd ball has kicked up and stayed low as well. With both Zimbabwean openers dismissed without much impact, the focus now shifts to how they navigate this middle phase while ensuring the run rate does not dip massively. The South African pacers have been right on the money so far, offering very little room and forcing the batters to manufacture their strokes and would look to get the wicket of Raza as quickly as possible to peg Zimbabwe seriously back. George Linde (1-0-13-0) returns into the attack after the break. He replaces Anrich Nortje.

FOUR! Beautifully struck boundary from Raza. Good length around off, Sikandar Raza stays leg side to it and drives this through the left of covers for a boundary to close the Powerplay. Ryan Rickelton did put in a dive to his left to field this but fails to get anything on the ball and it races to the fence. Zimbabwe are 45/2 after 6 overs.

Full and drifting down the leg, Dion Myers flicks this to deep backward square leg for a run.

On a length around middle and off, Sikandar Raza steps across and rolls this to mid on for a single.

Good length around off, Sikandar Raza blocks this back to the bowler.

SIX! Pumped out of the park. Back of a length around off, Sikandar Raza shuffles across the stumps and pulls this over the fence towards the deep square leg region for a huge six.

FOUR! A full delivery angled into off and middle from over the wicket at 140.8 kph. Raza opens the face and drives without much foot movement, guiding it past the diving fielder at backward point. Maphaka puts in a dive in the deep, but replays indicate he could not gather it cleanly.

Change again. Corbin Bosch replaces Kwena Maphaka.

On a length around middle and leg, Sikandar Raza tucks this through the onside and takes a single. Just one run and a wicket off this Anrich Nortje over.

Good length around leg, Sikandar Raza backs away and looks to get it away but misses.

A bit awkward from Sikandar Raza. Back of a length around the pads, Sikandar Raza hops up on his toes and looks to flick this away but gets it thumped back onto the pads and luckily for the Zimbabwean skipper the ball lands behind the stumps.

Both the Zimbabwean openers are back in the hut. And this dismissal of Bennett will hurt a lot given the kind of form he was in. It is now the test of how their middle order performs without him in this rebuilding phase. In walks the skipper, Sikandar Raza, at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! Zimbabwe's top scorer in this edition is done with the bat as he finds Aiden Markram at mid off. Once again, Anrich Nortje bowls it on a hard length, around off, and it kicks up a bit off the deck. Brian Bennett backs away a shade and looks to chip this up and over mid off, but fails to get enough timing and elevation and ends up hitting this straight into the hands of Aiden Markram who gathers it at chest height. Zimbabwe are 28/2.

Brian shuffles to his leg and Anrich Nortje follows him with a length delivery into the batter. Brian Bennett pushes this to point for another dot.

Hard length, on top of off, Brian Bennett hops back inside the crease and keeps it out.

Pace replaces pace from this end. Serious pace, to be precise. Here's Anrich Nortje replacing Lungi Ngidi.

Back of a length and outside off, guided away off the back foot through backward point for a single.

Not off the middle of the bat but good enough to clear the infield. A skiddy short ball, right at the batter, Bennett leans back to pull but shanks it over wide mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Nicely bowled. Good length on off and middle, cuts across the right-hander. Bennett stays back and has a feel for it but the ball just goes past the outside edge.

Wow, that's gone right in between three fielders and Dion Myers will be thanking his lucky stars. Back of a length, hammered into the pitch at around 143 kph. Myers looks to pull but gets a top edge that evades the fielders at short third, point and deep backward point and the batters get a single.

Good change of pace from Kwena. Keeps the length relatively full and angles it across off but bowls it slower. Myers fails to drive it away.

Fuller in length, slanted across off, Myers stays leg side of the ball to smack it through covers but ends up jamming it back to the bowler.

Oh, that's cleverly bowled. Slower one, seems like a full toss on off, but it dips late. Brian Bennett hangs back to swipe across the line but gets it off the toe end of the blade towards mid-wicket.

Full-pitched delivery again, outside off, Brian Bennett digs it away and gets it past the point region for a couple of runs in the deep.

Slower one, bowled full and wide outside off, Bennett gets low and squeezes it away to point.

Good length, into the pitch slightly and bowled outside off. Bennett stays put and looks to slap it away but mistimes it badly towards extra cover.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Short of a good length and over off. This one sits up a bit and Brian Bennett just muscles the short-arm jab wide of long on for a boundary.

Ngidi starts with a full ball, darting it in towards middle, Bennett drills it towards mid off.

Pace from both ends. Lungi Ngidi replaces George Linde.

FOUR! Glorious from Myers. Overpitched on off and middle, Myers holds his shape this time and just drives the ball back down the ground, it races away to the left of the bowler and into the fence behind.

A play and a miss! Pitched-up delivery, angled across off, Dion Myers stays put and reaches out to drive but is well beaten.

Fuller and wider, outside off, Myers reaches out to drive but smothers it down the deck.

Oh, that's a beauty from Kwena! Good length, lands on off and middle, angles away a touch before straightening. Dion Myers is bamboozled as the ball zips past the edge.

Dion Myers is the next batter out in the middle for Zimbabwe.

OUT! TIMBER! You miss, I hit! Kwena Maphaka picks up his first T20 World Cup wicket as well. Maphaka pitches the ball up on middle stump, gets it to shape in a bit and the ball also does a bit off the turf. Tadiwanashe Marumani takes the front leg out to whack it across the line but is well beaten and the ball crashes into the leg pole, uprooting it off the ground.

WIDE. Maphaka goes full, looking for the inswinger, but spills it way down the leg side.

Back of a length, on a tight line around off, Marumani stays back and drops it back onto the turf with gentle hands.

An expensive first over for South Africa and Zimbabwe are off to a good start. Kwena Maphaka will be bowling from the other end.

SIX! Wow, Brian Bennett is indeed in pristine form. Flighted ball around off, Bennett lunges across to the off side and sweeps it aerially, just behind deep backward square leg and all the way for a biggie. What a way to get off the mark and Zimbabwe get 13 runs off the first over.

Dragged length on the pads, Marumani rocks back and works it wide of square leg for a single.

Full and straight, swept away firmly through the square leg region for a couple of runs.

Oh, hello! A one-handed reverse sweep on the third ball of the game? Yes, please, says Tadiwanashe Marumani. Floated up on off, Marumani gets a big stride forward and looks for the exotic shot but fails to connect and gets hit on the underside of the helmet.

Better line from Linde. Fired in a bit, slightly fuller and on off, Marumani defends it from inside the crease.

FOUR! Oh, that's raced away to the fence. Length ball on the pads, Tadiwanashe Marumani hops back and tucks it off his hips and gets it well to the right of Anrich Nortje at short fine leg for a boundary. Fine start for Zimbabwe.

Done with the pre-match formalities and we are now set for the action to begin. Brian Bennett has walked out with Tadiwanashe Marumani to open for Zimbabwe. George Linde will be bowling the first over of this contest for the Proteas.

It is time for the national anthems as the flags of both countries are unveiled. The teams have lined up on either side of the match officials, with Aiden Markram leading South Africa and Zimbabwe led by Sikandar Raza. It will be the South African anthem first and then the Zimbabwean.

The skipper of South Africa - Aiden Markram mentions that they would have chosen to bat first as well, noting that the surface looks quite good. He adds that the team has been comfortable chasing in this tournament and has found success with that approach and that they wanted to see how they go batting first. He stresses the importance of sticking to the basics and repeating the right processes, especially with games coming thick and fast in this format. Admits that there are a couple of areas where they need to tidy up before the knockouts come. He also informs three changes to the XI, with Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje and George Linde coming into the side. Shares that these guys have been working hard behind the scenes and that they deserve some game time as well. Also adds that it also gives the team a chance to assess them in different conditions, especially as cover in case of any injuries later in the tournament.

The skipper of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says that it is a day game and unfortunately wth the injuries, they have gone with a combination that favors their bowling attack and that has also influenced their decision to bat first. Gives further insights on the injuries and says that Richard Ngarava has a back spasm, Tashinga Musekiwa is also injured and there's one more tactical change as well, so a total of three changes in the side. Mentions that the challenge remains for them to be a consistent mid-table team in the next 18 months or so.

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

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande (In for Tashinga Musekiwa), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza (In for Tinotenda Maposa), Graeme Cremer (In for Richard Ngarava), Blessing Muzarabani.

TOSS - The coin is flipped by the skipper of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza. Tails is the call from Markram and it lands as Heads. ZIMBABWE ELECT TO BAT FIRST.

We are moments away from the all-important coin flip. Aiden Markram heads out to lead South Africa, whereas Sikandar Raza will be leading Zimbabwe. 

PITCH REPORT - High-scoring alert - Katey Martin and Temba Bavuma report from a warm yet breezy Arun Jaitley Stadium, where comfortable conditions prevail for the players. They highlight the ground's reputation as one of the smallest venues in India, specifically noting the short 73-metre straight boundary and 66 metres on one side and 61 on the other. This compact layout, combined with the heating weather, suggests a high-scoring environment where the small boundary sizes will likely play a decisive role in the shot-making strategies of both teams. Temba suggests that a score over 180 plus is a must on such a deck.

Final Super 8 hurdle - This penultimate Super 8 clash is a vital psychological battle. For South Africa, it is an opportunity to sustain an impeccable winning streak and cement their status as the favorites heading into the knockouts. For Zimbabwe, it is a final chance to salvage some pride in the Super 8s. Toss and team news to follow ...

Zimbabwe’s battle for balance and redemption - After a fairytale start as giant-killers, Zimbabwe has faced a harsh reality check in the Super 8s, particularly with a bowling attack that surrendered massive totals to India and the West Indies. To stand a chance against their neighbours, the Chevrons must find reliable support for Brian Bennett, whose extraordinary batting has lacked a secondary protagonist. The onus falls on seasoned campaigners like Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava to tighten their lines.

The Proteas’ pursuit of invincibility - South Africa arrives at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the tournament's gold standard, carrying an unblemished record and clinical momentum under Aiden Markram’s leadership. With a semi-final berth already secured, the Proteas must be focused on refining their unplayable bowling unit. Specifically, they will be looking for Kagiso Rabada to rediscover his most lethal form to complement the searing pace of Lungi Ngidi and the precision of Corbin Bosch. The batting remains equally formidable, anchored by Markram’s brilliance and the resurging confidence of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, though the team may use this fixture to test their bench depth.

Clash of the neighbours - Hello and welcome to the fans for this penultimate Super 8 encounter. A dominant, undefeated South African side is looking to polish their clinical form ahead of the semi-finals. At the same time, a resilient Zimbabwean team seeks to reclaim their reputation as a giant-killer. As the Proteas aim to maintain their flawless tournament record, the Chevrons are fighting for pride and a strong finish in what promises to be an intense battle between two neighbouring rivals.

... MATCHDAY ...

A clash of contrasting fortunes - The stage is set in India for an enticing Super 8 encounter that features two teams on completely different trajectories. Zimbabwe, the giant killers of the group stages who famously toppled Australia and Sri Lanka, are desperate to recapture their lost magic after a bruising Super 8 phase. On the other side stands a clinical and undefeated South African side that has looked virtually untouchable, moving through the tournament with the poise of champions-in-waiting. While the Proteas are fine-tuning their engines for the semi-finals, the Chevrons are fighting for pride, hoping to prove that their early-tournament brilliance wasn't just a flash in the pan. The tale of two countries - Zimbabwe's 2026 T20 World Cup campaign has been a story of drastic contrasts following their shift from Sri Lanka to India. The Chevrons were the sensation of the group stages in Sri Lanka, where they topped Group B with statement victories over giants Australia and Sri Lanka. However, since landing in India for the Super 8s, their momentum has evaporated. The bowling unit has struggled significantly on Indian tracks, conceding over 500 runs across just two games. Interestingly, in both these high-scoring defeats, skipper Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl first, a strategy that has backfired as their bowlers failed to stem the flow of runs. Bennett's lone stand - While the bowling has faltered, the batting has shown flashes of resilience, primarily through the blade of Brian Bennett. The young opener has been in sensational form, recently smashing a defiant 97 unbeaten against India to bring his tournament tally to a staggering 277. Despite his heroics, he lacks consistent support from the other end. For Zimbabwe to be competitive against a powerhouse like South Africa, the rest of the batting order must step up, and the bowling attack, led by Blessing Muzarabani, needs to find a way to tighten their lines and lengths to avoid another massive total. Dominant Proteas - South Africa enters this contest as the only undefeated team remaining, having already secured their spot in the semi-finals. They have been the clinical team to beat, with multiple match-winners like Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock clicking in unison. The Proteas appear to have no glaring weaknesses, playing with a level of control that makes them the overwhelming favorites. This match serves as a crucial tune-up for them to maintain their winning rhythm before the knockout stages. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - Zimbabwe - LLWWW | South Africa - WWWWW. Rabada’s quest for rhythm - The one minor concern for the South African camp has been the form of Kagiso Rabada. While the rest of the pace battery has looked locked in, Rabada has been slightly searching for his best touch. He showed positive signs in the last game against the West Indies, picking up 2/22. South Africa will be hoping for another strong spell from their champion pacer to ensure he is at his peak for the semi-finals. For Zimbabwe, the task is monumental as they will need to play out of their skins, with everything riding on Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett, to even challenge the high-flying Proteas.