🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M24: SA vs NZ at Ahmedabad🏏 - Page 10

NZ ~ 175/7

SA needs 176 to win this match.

New Zealand had not batted first in their two games this tournament and they failed to adapt to the conditions. Seifert, after fifties in the two games, fell cheaply. Rachin's woeful form stretched to another game. Allen got off to a start but fell inside the powerplay. All three wickets to Jansen. Chapman and Mitchell steadied the innings and at the same time kept the scoreboard moving. The pair stitched a 74-run stand and had set a nice platform, but another collapse - 3 wickets for 7 runs - derailed their finish. A small cameo from Neesham took them to 175 but they are 20-25 runs short of a par total. We could already see Markram wiping the ball, meaning the dew has started to come down, if that's the case then South Africa should walk through this chase.

SA will take that. Of course they will take that. They were put under pressure early in the powerplay, with Allen and Seifert threatening to take off. Jansen, though, was at his wicket-taking best, bagging three in the powerplay and setting the Kiwis back. Chapman and MItchell then mounted a rear-guard, and while they were at the crease, 200 felt possible. Both, though, fell in quick succession, meaning NZ fizzled out to finish with what seems like an under-par score.

SA, after the scratchiness of Wednesday, bowled much better. They kept things tight, they stuck to their plans, and their fielding was brilliant. Jansen was the most successful, bagging four, but what would have pleased SA most is Rabada's performance, given all that happened against Afghanistan. SA will fancy their chances of chasing this, and going 3-0.

Jansen finishes with 4 wickets

Mark Chapman: Yeah, it's a pretty good surface. Traditionally, there's a bit of pace and bounce here, so it was pretty difficult today if I'm a batsman. Obviously not ideal to lose a few wickets at the end of the powerplay. And I guess for us, it was just trying to be positive, you know, we needed the surface good, so we just had to keep going. Yeah, I mean, you were probably a little bit under par there, but you know, for our bowling unit, they're just really clearing their plans and hopefully they can execute. Yeah, it's been nice to see the locals come to the game and a few Kiwi shirts in there too, which is nice to see.

South Africa seamers took pace off (<128 kph) of 59.7% of the deliveries in the games against Afghanistan; this game the figures were down to 23.7%. SA seamers picked up 4/48 (ER 7.38) against Afghanistan of pace off deliveries while this game it fetched them 2/42 (ER 10.95).

Welcome back.. During the break the groundstaff were using the super sopper to clear the dew. Conditions won't be easy for New Zealand but a few early wickets will bring them back into the contest. Henry is at the top of his mark and he needs to deliver. Markram has taken strike. One slip in place.

T20Is in Ahmedabad

Chasing 180+: Eight defeats in eight games (including Super Over results)

Chasing <180: Three wins in three games

South Africa to race away: There should be a bit of assistance for the new-ball bowlers, and Henry and Duffy are fine exponents of exploiting early movement, but if de Kock and Markram get through that initial phase, they have the firepower to counterattack. Don't be surprised if South Africa surge past 65 in the powerplay, even if it costs them a wicket.

SA off to a flier. NZ need to stem this run-flow and break through soon. A failure to do that, and it might be a long road back for them tonight.

Sujatha : "Time for Mitchell Santner: now or never as SA are running away with this big-time "

Went for a short break and SA is off to 62 for no loss in just 4.3 overs ? WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE ???

Fastest team 50 in T20 World Cups (by overs)

2.5 Eng vs SA Wankhede 2016

3.0 SA vs NZ Ahmedabad 2026 *

3.1 Eng vs Oman North Sound 2024

3.1 WI vs Afg Gros Islet 2024

in uninterrupted games

Finally a wicket!!!

4.4W

Ferguson to de Kock, OUT

slower ball does the trick, and Ferguson sends de Kock packing! This is a leg-cutter, pitching just outside leg. de Kock, looking at the length, thinks there is a maximum for the taking. Swipes at it wildly, without reading the change-up, and sees his leg stump pegged back soon after. Some respite for NZ!

Quinton de Kock b Ferguson 20 (14b 3x4 1x6) SR: 142.85

5

0 0 0 W 1 4 (5 runs)

RSA 67-1

Aiden Markram

45(15)

Ryan Rickelton

1(1)

Lockie Ferguson

2-0-23-1

Why are T20 World Cup threads quiet?

2 interesting teams. I don't know which team to root for. May the best team win.

Markram Equals with Shanaka in 2026 WC T20 with 19 ball 50

NZ 175-7(20)

RSA 112-2(8.4)

CRR:12.92

REQ:5.65

South Africa need 64 runs in 68 balls