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- South Africa vs United Arab Emirates Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat UAE by 6 wickets
South Africa vs United Arab Emirates Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat UAE by 6 wickets
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table
The chase was set up by Aiden Markram, whose aggressive 28 off 11 balls ensured early control. Ryan Rickelton followed with a quickfire 30, but it was Brevis who grabbed attention. The youngster struck some stunning sixes, including a towering pull and a lofted extra-cover hit, during his fluent 36 off 25 balls, offering timely reassurance about his form.
Earlier, fast bowler Anrich Nortje impressed in his first outing of the tournament, using pace and bounce to claim two wickets. He was well supported by Corbin Bosch, who picked up three wickets in a superb spell that derailed UAE’s innings. Although Alishan Sharafu fought hard for his 45, UAE struggled to handle South Africa’s sustained pace pressure and finished on 122 for six.
South Africa’s decision to bowl first under overcast skies proved spot on, as their bowlers exploited the conditions effectively. The comfortable win not only secured momentum but also allowed key players like Brevis to regain confidence ahead of tougher challenges in the next stage.
PLAYING XIs
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
United Arab Emirates XI: Aryansh Sharma (w), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
Kwena Maphaka to Muhammad Waseem, A quick bumper, dug in over middle and leg, Waseem does well to duck under it.
Kwena Maphaka to Muhammad Waseem, Length ball, straighter in line, tucked away between square leg and mid-wicket for a couple of runs more.
Kwena Maphaka to Muhammad Waseem, FOUR! Maphaka gets his line right this time but overpitches and Muhammad Waseem is off the mark in style. Too full and on off, Waseem hangs back and slams it to the left of the bowler for a boundary downtown.
Kwena Maphaka to Muhammad Waseem, WIDE! And again! Full and swinging down leg, Waseem fails to flick it away.
Kwena Maphaka to Muhammad Waseem, WIDE! A loosener to begin with from Kwena Maphaka. Pitched up fuller and down leg, swinging in even more. Quinton de Kock does well to collect it down to his left.
A decent bit of movement for Rabada in the opening over. Several plays and misses and a top edge. Tidy start for the Proteas. Kwena Maphaka will operate from the opposite end.
- Aryansh Sharma 6 (6)
- Muhammad Waseem 0 (0)
Kagiso Rabada to Aryansh Sharma, Five dots and a streaky six off the first over. Banged in short and wide outside off, Aryansh Sharma reaches out to cut but his feet go nowhere and the ball goes through to the keeper. UAE are 6/0 after one.
Kagiso Rabada to Aryansh Sharma, Similar to the very first delivery. Slightly short and outside off, nibbling away, Sharma awkwardly tries to ramp and gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Aryansh Sharma, Much fuller and attacking the stumps, Sharma shows a bit of respect to this ball and blocks it off.
Kagiso Rabada to Aryansh Sharma, SIX! Not where he intended that to go, but Aryansh Sharma will take it. Good-length delivery outside off, swinging away, Sharma has a hoick across the line and gets a thick top edge that flies over deep third for a maximum. UAE are underway now.
Kagiso Rabada to Aryansh Sharma, Oh, good carry again. Dug in shorter and over middle, Sharma is taken aback by the length and swings wildly but is beaten by the extra bounce.
Kagiso Rabada to Aryansh Sharma, Swing right away! Rabada lands it short of a good length and bowls it outside off, the ball shapes away and Aryansh Sharma ends up having a poke at it. He misses and the ball carries through nicely to Quinton de Kock.
Right. Done and dusted with all the pre-match formalities. It is time to get down to real business in the Indian capital city. The two umpires are already out in the middle. Aiden Markram gathers his Proteas in a huddle and fires them up with a few words of motivation before they fan out and take their positions on the field. Out walk the opening pair of the UAE - Aryansh Sharma and skipper Muhammad Waseem. Kagiso Rabada has the new ball and is raring to go. Sharma will take the strike. A slip in place. Here we go!
The giant flags of both countries are unfurled in the middle. Now, the players of the two teams and the match officials walk out for the national anthems. It will be UAE's first, followed by that of South Africa's.
PITCH REPORT - Ian Ward is pitchside. Straightaway points out that it is pretty overcast and is cooler compared to the other games. Also says that as and when the sun comes out, the temperatures will rise. Goes on to inform that this pitch is being used for the third time in the tournament so far. About the dimensions, he points that the square boundaries measure 66 meters and 59 meters, with the straight hit being 72 meters. Shaun Pollock joins in and observes that the weather feels a bit English county type. He points out that it still feels quite cold to the touch, suggesting the moisture hasn’t really evaporated, something that’s been evident in previous games here. Adds that with limited sunshine expected today, the moisture is likely to stay, meaning early assistance for the seamers. He also references India’s 209 at this venue, noting it once looked like it was heading towards 250 before the spinners pulled things back. Then points out that this venue has had the least amount of turn, just 1.6 degrees, as compared to the other venues for this World Cup. Initially, he feels it is going to be a bit tacky and there might be good movement for the fast bowlers.
The skipper of United Arab Emirates - Muhammad Waseem says that they would have bowled first as well but the pitch looks good and it was just the weather that was prompting them to bowl first. Informs that they have two changes in the playing XI. Mentions that there are plenty of left-handers in the opposition and hence, they have made two changes with an off-spinner and a leggie coming in. Adds that they have learned a lot from this tournament and will try to play their best cricket against another Test-playing nation.
The captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram says there is a bit of rain around with a bit of moisture, so he is hopeful that they can get something out of it. Is not sure about how much rain fell last night and how much water was applied. Also, details that it looks pretty tacky. Expects that there seamers will create impact upfront and then the spinners might potentially get a bit of hold in the wicket. On the team changes, he informs that they have four changes for this match. Says Jason Smith, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka and Anrich Nortje come into the XI. About the momentum ahead of the Super Eights, Markram saying it all comes down to perspective. He adds that success usually hinges on a collective squad effort, and sees this as a valuable chance to give those who haven’t featured to get some much-needed game time. Is hopeful that they will get a good start.
United Arab Emirates XI: Aryansh Sharma (w), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah
United Arab Emirates (Playing XI) - Aryansh Sharma (WK), Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haider, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar (In for Harshit Kaushik), Muhammad Farooq (In for Simranjeet Singh), Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, and Muhammad Jawadullah.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith (In for David Miller), George Linde (In for Keshav Maharaj), Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje (In for Marco Jansen), and Kwena Maphaka (In for Lungi Ngidi).
SA captain Aiden Markram after winning the toss: "Yeah, we're gonna bowl first. Obviously a bit of rain around. There's been moisture in here this morning and we'll be able to maybe find something in the wicket up front. Yeah, it feels it. Most of the square feels it as well. I don't know how much rain fell last night or how much water's been applied, but definitely has that tacky feel. And with our seamers up front, and even potentially spin my hold in the wicket, I think we can give a good start. Yeah, we've got four changes."
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickleton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje, Donovan Ferreira, David Miller.
UAE: Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haidar (wk), Aryansh Sharma (wk), Mayank Kumar, Harshit Kaushik, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Ali, JUnaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawaduulah, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Rohid, Simranjeet Singh.
In-form batter Sohaib Khan will again carry their hopes after consecutive fifties, while skipper Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu remain key figures.
Though outmatched on paper, UAE will aim to use the experience to build confidence and measure their progress, hoping to challenge South Africa and gain lessons that can shape their future on the global stage.
Mainstays like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi may be rested to keep them fresh, allowing the likes of Anrich Nortje and rising star Kwena Maphaka an opportunity.
Alongside Marco Jansen, the Proteas possess formidable depth, and exposing younger players to match conditions could prove invaluable as they prepare for sterner Super Eight contests.
Their victories, including a dramatic double Super Over win against Afghanistan and a dominant performance versus New Zealand, underline their readiness.
The team management will likely treat this match as an extended practice, hoping to bat first and maximise runs on what is expected to be a flat, high-scoring track.
The young dasher, dubbed ‘Baby AB’ for his resemblance to AB de Villiers, has yet to fire, managing only modest scores so far.
Against a weaker attack on a batting-friendly Kotla surface, this fixture offers Brevis the ideal stage to rediscover rhythm and confidence ahead of tougher challenges in the next round.
Captain Aiden Markram provided early impetus with a blistering 28 off 11 balls, while Ryan Rickelton smashed 30 off 16 to break the chase open. Brevis then took centre stage with an entertaining 36 off 25 balls, showcasing his range with pulls, lofted drives and a powerful hit into cow corner to seal the win emphatically.
Earlier, Anrich Nortje marked his return with an impressive spell as South Africa restricted UAE to 122 for six. Nortje’s pace and Corbin Bosch’s three-wicket burst ensured UAE never gained momentum despite Alishan Sharafu’s fighting 45. South Africa’s bowlers exploited helpful conditions expertly, and their batters completed the formalities with ease in a dominant all-round performance.
Match Statistics
Venue
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
