- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- SA vs ZIM Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets
SA vs ZIM Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets
Opting to bat, Zimbabwe suffered early setbacks, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. Tadiwanashe Marumani was bowled attempting an ambitious stroke, while Brian Bennett fell trying to clear mid-off. Amid the collapses, Raza counterattacked with authority. He struck Corbin Bosch for a towering six and repeatedly found the boundary, racing to a 29-ball half-century. His calculated aggression and clean hitting lifted Zimbabwe to 153 for seven, though regular wickets prevented a stronger finish.
South Africa’s chase began shakily as Raza struck twice early, removing Markram and de Kock. When he dismissed a blazing Dewald Brevis, who had smashed 42 off 18 balls, the Proteas were five down and under pressure. With uneven bounce complicating matters, Zimbabwe sensed an upset.
But Tristan Stubbs and George Linde absorbed the pressure expertly. Rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries, the pair ensured there were no further alarms, sealing victory with seven balls to spare.
While South Africa advanced unbeaten to face New Zealand in the semifinal, Zimbabwe exited the Super Eights without a win. Raza’s excellence highlighted Zimbabwe’s potential, but their lack of consistent power-hitting depth remains an area for growth.
Kwena Maphaka to Brian Bennett, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Brian Bennett, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, 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.
- Brian Bennett 12 (7)
- Dion Myers 4 (4)
Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, 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.
Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, 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.
Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, Slower one, bowled full and wide outside off, Bennett gets low and squeezes it away to point.
Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, 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.
Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, 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.
Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, 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.
- Dion Myers 4 (4)
- Brian Bennett 6 (1)
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, A play and a miss! Pitched-up delivery, angled across off, Dion Myers stays put and reaches out to drive but is well beaten.
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, Fuller and wider, outside off, Myers reaches out to drive but smothers it down the deck.
Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 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.
Kwena Maphaka to Tadiwanashe Marumani, WIDE. Maphaka goes full, looking for the inswinger, but spills it way down the leg side.
Kwena Maphaka to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 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.
- Brian Bennett 6 (1)
- Tadiwanashe Marumani 7 (5)
George Linde to Brian Bennett, 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.
George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dragged length on the pads, Marumani rocks back and works it wide of square leg for a single.
George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Full and straight, swept away firmly through the square leg region for a couple of runs.
George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 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.
George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Better line from Linde. Fired in a bit, slightly fuller and on off, Marumani defends it from inside the crease.
George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 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.
Batting coach Ashwell Prince
"I don't think it was the case that we figured we had done enough. We still wanted to get some more done. Unfortunately, that has not happened. The guys are still learning. Hopefully we will make that adjustment."
Courtney Walsh, Zimbabwe's bowling consultant
South Africa Probable XI:
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
Zimbabwe Probable XI:
Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Jason Smith
Zimbabwe Squad: Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Graeme Cremer, Wellington Masakadza, Ben Curran, Clive Madande
In the five games played here, 200 has only been breached once, with India posting 209 against Namibia.
It is effectively a dead rubber, with South Africa already through to the semifinals and Zimbabwe eliminated from the race following back-to-back losses.
The top three — skipper Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton — are in top form, and it would take a special bowling effort from Raza and his team to stop them.
The middle order, including David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Dewald Brevis, has also made an impact in the Super 8 stage.
Bennett, who is yet to be dismissed in the tournament, showed against India that he can also clear the ropes. He will need to find a way to tackle a wily South African attack.
Their unbeaten run in the group stage came on slow pitches in Sri Lanka, but the margin for error drops drastically in batting-friendly Indian conditions, as they experienced in Mumbai and Chennai.
Raza knows his side can only compete with the bigger teams if all three departments click.
"At the World Cup against the best teams, you need all your three departments to be working hand in hand. And unfortunately, if one lacks, then the game runs away from you.
"So hopefully in the last game, leave everything on the park and we try and sort out all our three departments and hopefully that gives us the best chance to win the game," Raza said after the India defeat.
Zimbabwe will need to fix their bowling woes against a skillful South Africa as they aim to end their spirited T20 World Cup campaign on a high in their final Super 8 fixture here on Sunday.
Reaching the Super 8 as group toppers was part of the success story for Zimbabwe, and inspired by their leader Sikandar Raza, they will be determined to push South Africa to the limit.
Raza then made an immediate impact with the ball, dismissing Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock in the powerplay before returning to remove the dangerous Dewald Brevis, reducing South Africa to 101 for five. With 53 runs still required and uneven bounce adding to the tension, the chase briefly wavered.
However, Tristan Stubbs (21 not out) and George Linde (31 not out) combined calmly to guide South Africa home in 17.5 overs. The Proteas carried their unbeaten run into the semifinals, where they will face New Zealand in Kolkata.
Zimbabwe, despite topping their group earlier, ended their Super Eights campaign winless. While Raza stood out with a captain’s performance, Zimbabwe’s inability to provide sustained support with the bat proved decisive.
Match Statistics
Venue
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
