Proteas edge Zimbabwe to stay unbeaten ahead of T20 World Cup semi-final with New Zealand

The Proteas overcome a Sikandar Raza masterclass to defeat Zimbabwe by five wickets in Delhi. Next stop: Eden Gardens for a showdown with the Black Caps. Photo: AFP The Proteasmaintained their unbeaten run at theICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but were made to sweat by Zimbabwe beforewinning by five wicketsin the penultimate Super 8 fixture on Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

South Africa recovered from the early loss of in-form openersQuinton de Kockand skipperAiden Markramto chase down Zimbabwe’s competitive 153/7, reaching their target with 13 balls to spare. A blistering middle-order assault fromDewald BrevisandDavid Miller, which produced 50 runs off just 24 balls, proved decisive. Young quickKwena Maphaka(2/21) also impressed with the ball.

Zimbabwe owed much of their total to skipperSikandar Raza, who struck a superb 73 after winning the toss and opting to bat. He later claimed 3/29 with his off-spin to ensure the chase was anything but straightforward. Maphaka struck in his first over, removing Tadiwanashe Marumani for seven, beforeAnrich Nortjedismissed Brian Bennett in the fifth over to leave Zimbabwe 28/2.

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They recovered to 45/2 at the end of the Powerplay and reached 80/3 at the halfway mark. Lungi Ngiditrapped Ryan Burl lbw, and Corbin Bosch uprooted Tony Munyonga’s stumps with a pinpoint yorker. Raza found support from Clive Madande, but fell for 73 in the 17th over, caught off Maphaka, as Zimbabwe closed on 153/7.

Raza then made early inroads with the ball, having De Kock caught behind before bowling Markram for 4. A lengthy delay followed afterRyan Rickeltonwas struck on the head by Brad Evans. The left-hander responded with three sixes, but skied a bouncer and was caught off the final ball of the Powerplay (43/3).

Brevis and Miller counter-attacked in style, lifting the Proteas past 90 inside 10 overs. Miller fell for 22, and Raza removed Brevis for 42 (2×4, 4×6) to revive Zimbabwe’s hopes. However, with the required rate down to five an over, South Africa maintained their composure. An unbroken 50-run stand between allrounder George Linde andTristan Stubbsguided the Proteas home in the 18th over, preserving their perfect record and momentum ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final against New Zealand at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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