Captain fantastic Sikandar Raza smashed 73 runs from 43 balls, adorned with 8 fours and 4 sixes, powering Zimbabwe to 153 for 7 and setting South Africa a 154-run victory target in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 thriller at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Zimbabwe, who chose to bat first post-toss, lost Tadiwanashe Marumani early for 7 (1.2 overs, score 14-1). Brian Bennett’s 15-run cameo (1×4, 1×6) ended abruptly, precipitating a collapse to 28 for 2. Dion Myers and Raza’s 38-run stand for the third wicket (23 balls) halted the slide temporarily.
Raza dominated thereafter, his captaincy translating seamlessly into batting prowess. The pivotal sixth-wicket partnership of 39 runs in 29 balls with Clive Madande (26* off 20, 3×4) carried Zimbabwe past 150, injecting late momentum.
South Africa’s bowling effort was commendable, with Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka securing two wickets each. George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, and Anrich Nortje accounted for the rest. The pitch offered assistance, making Zimbabwe’s total respectable.
As South Africa embarks on the chase, Raza’s innings has leveled the playing field. Expect a tense battle ahead in this group-stage decider.
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Marumani†, Bennett, Myers, Raza*, Burl, Munyonga, Madande, Evans, Masakadza, Cremer, Muzarabani.
South Africa: Markram*, de Kock†, Rickelton, Brevis, Miller, Stubbs, Linde, Bosch, Nortje, Maphaka, Ngidi.