Captain Aiden Markram led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 86 as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand, keeping their perfect record intact at the T20 World Cup.
Chasing 176, the Proteas came out firing and raced to 83 for 1 in the Powerplay as Markram, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton dismantled the Black Caps attack. Markram produced a blistering half-century from just 19 balls – the joint fastest in the tournament – with a straight six, and from then on the result was never in doubt.
New Zealand briefly managed to stem the flow, but the damage had already been done. South Africa reached the target with 17 balls to spare, Markram finishing with eight fours and four sixes in an impressive 44-ball knock.
Earlier, the Black Caps made a lively start after being sent in, with Finn Allen smashing 31 off 17 balls. However, Marco Jansen turned the game on its head with three quick wickets, removing Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra and Allen in quick succession.
Steady rebuilding from Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell kept New Zealand ticking at almost ten an over, but Chapman’s dismissal for 48 led to a late delay. The Proteas tightened the screws to restrict them to 175 for 7 – a total that quickly looked below par.
Markram picked up where he left off in the chase, tearing through the New Zealand fasts and finding support from Rickelton and Dewald Brevis, who both chipped in with 21. De Kock fell to a slower ball from Lockie Ferguson, but the momentum was unstoppable.
Markram calmly conducted proceedings before watching from the non-striker’s side as David Miller sealed the win in style, launching Ferguson into the stands for a towering six.
The win leaves South Africa on the brink of qualifying for the Super 8, while New Zealand remains well placed – and needs a win over the Canadian national cricket team to join them.
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