🏏 ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: WI vs SA 47th Match,26 Feb 🏏 - Page 25

6.13pm A comprehensive victory for South Africa, they stay unbeaten in this World Cup and they are building a fortress in Ahmedabad! It is, by the way, the first loss for West Indies in the tournament who fought back very bravely after being 83 for 7 early on, but South Africa dominated the game otherwise. Pace and bounce, assisted by West Indies' mistakes, did the trick to take down the mighty West Indies line-up before Holder and Shepherd turned things around to post a competitive 176. But it was a pretty flat pitch and looks like they would have needed 200-plus to make a game of this. It was not going to be straightforward for SA but the pitch had become much easier to bat on, and the way Markram led the charge right from the start set the tone nicely for them, as de Kock and Rickelton played second-fiddle and Markram remained unbeaten on 82.

Shai Hope: Very important to get a big score and losing so many wickets in the powerplay cost us. We were 40-50 short. Must commend the guys in the bottom half for giving us a chance, never know things could have changed. This pitch was probably better for batting that Mumbai, the ball was coming on nicely, wasn't any purchase there when we bowled and you could play through the line. We need to ensure we execute our plans, not necessarily the challenge of managing injuries in the side. It was one of those days. I thought we didn't get enough runs on the board, and it was hard for the bowlers to pull it back. Everything will not be easy. The way we play our cricket, there will be a loss, aim was to get it out early. Next game will be quarter-final.

Aiden Markram: Thought we bowled nicely. A team like West Indies will take the game to you. Thought the pitch was tacky and stopy. With the early nip, wanted to keep the ball up. Steep bounce came from the tackiness. Fortunately ended up on the right side of the toss. Lot of credit to the bowlers. [Surface] felt like while we were bowling, the wicket kept getting better and better. Towards the back end, when we went full and yorkers and change of pace, it didn't work. Ricks has come and made No. 3 his own. No step in this competition is easy. Hopefully we get through. [Love affair with Ahmedabad] Will be great, don't think too far ahead but boys have got used to the conditions here."