The cricketing world descended upon Ahmedabad on Thursday, for a high-stakes T20 World Cup Super 8 encounter between the West Indies and South Africa. In what was the forty seventh match of the match, the Group 1 showdown on the Narendra Modi Stadium delivered a masterclass in resilience. Whereas the Proteas’ tempo assault initially threatened to blow the Caribbean aspect away, a historic lower-order fightback ensured the West Indies posted a aggressive whole on this essential night time fixture.
Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd script historic stand towards South Africa
The spotlight of the primary innings was a unprecedented, record-breaking partnership between Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. When Matthew Forde fell within the eleventh over, the West Indies have been reeling at a disastrous 83/7. With the highest order again within the dugout, South Africa appeared poised to wrap up the innings properly underneath the 120-run mark.
Nevertheless, Holder and Shepherd had different plans. The duo stitched collectively a monumental 89-run partnership for the eighth wicket, the very best ever recorded within the historical past of T20 Internationals. Their scientific assault eclipsed the earlier file of 80 runs held by Scotland’s PL Mommsen and SM Sharif towards the Netherlands in 2015.
| Companions | Runs | Workforce | Opposition | Match Date |
| JO Holder & R Shepherd | 89 | West Indies | South Africa | Feb 26, 2026 |
| PL Mommsen & SM Sharif | 80 | Scotland | Netherlands | Jul 11, 2015 |
| R Sharma & Amjad Mahboob | 75 | Singapore | Cambodia | Could 4, 2023 |
| C Madande & WP Masakadza | 75 | Zimbabwe | Bangladesh | Could 3, 2024 |
Shepherd was the aggressor, ending unbeaten on 52 off 37 balls, adorned with three boundaries and 4 towering sixes. Holder supplied the soundness and veteran expertise, contributing a significant 49 off 31 balls earlier than being tragically run out on the second-to-last ball of the innings.
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Aiden Markram and Lungi Ngidi masterclass propels South Africa to dominant victory over West Indies
South Africa moved to the brink of a T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal berth on February 26, 2026, after crushing the West Indies by 9 wickets in a dominant Tremendous 8 show on the Narendra Modi Stadium. Chasing a goal of 177, the Proteas made a mockery of the pursuit by reaching the mark in simply 16.1 overs, fueled by a relentless opening assault.
Captain Aiden Markram delivered a definitive ‘Player of the Match’ performance, hammering an unbeaten 82 off simply 46 balls, whereas Quinton de Kock set the tone early with a blistering 47 off 24 deliveries. The muse for this victory was laid by the South African bowlers, particularly Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, who tore by way of the West Indian prime order to depart them reeling at 52/4 by the top of the Powerplay.
Ngidi was the chief destroyer with figures of three/30, whereas Rabada’s 2/22 ensured heavyweights like Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer have been again within the dugout early. Regardless that a lower-order restoration allowed the West Indies to publish a aggressive 176/8, the psychological benefit was swiftly extinguished as Markram and Ryan Rickelton (45*) shared an unbeaten 82-run stand to seal the win with 23 balls to spare.
This scientific victory ensures South Africa stays the one unbeaten workforce within the match and supplies a large enhance to India’s qualification hopes by severely denting the West Indies’ Internet Run Fee. For the Caribbean aspect, the loss is a major actuality examine, leaving them in a high-pressure scenario for his or her closing group matches. The Proteas now sit comfortably on the prime of Group 1 with 4 factors, primarily securing their spot among the many world’s prime 4 groups.
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