Proteas to face New Zealand in T20 World Cup semis after beating Zimbabwe

Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka in action for the Proteas during their T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. Picture: Sajjad Hussain/AFP South Africa racked up their seventh straight victory at the T20 World Cup, earning a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their last Super Eight match in Delhi on Sunday. In the process, after finishing top of their Super Eight group, the Proteas set up a clash against New Zealand in the semifinals in Kolkata on Wednesday.

“It’s exciting – really exciting – we now have a semifinal in Kolkata against New Zealand,” Proteas captain Aiden Markram said after the match. “The boys will be up for it. It’s still 40 overs of good cricket needed and we need to give it that respect.” Set a target of 154 runs to win against Zimbabwe, theSA teamgot off to a poor start, and they were in trouble at 28/2 in the fourth over of their innings.

However, big-hitting batterDewald Brevisspearheaded a successful recovery by hitting 42 runs off just 18 balls to take the game away from the opposition. He was well supported by Ryan Rickelton (31), David Miller (22), Tristan Stubbs (21 not out) and George Linde (30 not out) as the SA side chased down their target with 13 balls to spare. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza was the best of their bowlers, taking 3/29 in a futile attempt to keep his team in the hunt.

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Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Zimbabwe were carried by middle-order batter Raza who bashed 73 runs off 43 deliveries in an innings which included four sixes. Raza was eventually removed by fast bowlerKwena Maphakawhen he had him caught by David Miller at cover point in the 17th over. And after the skipper was dismissed, fellow middle-order batter Clive Madande added 26 not out down the order as Zimbabwe reached 153/7.

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