South Africa Archives

West Indies, England, South Africa set to depart India on charter flights

MUMBAI: Several teams participating in the T20 World Cup 2026 are set to leave India over the weekend on charter flights arranged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being stranded due to disruptions in air travel caused by the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, England, South Africa and West Indies were among the sides unable to depart the country following their elimination from the T20 World Cup.

England, who suffered a semi-final defeat against India on Thursday, are scheduled to leave Mumbai on Saturday evening aboard a charter flight bound for London.

Meanwhile, South Africa and the West Indies will depart from Kolkata on a separate charter flight.

Both teams are expected to travel to Johannesburg first before the West Indies squad continues onward to Antigua. While the exact departure time is yet to be finalised, both teams are expected to leave on Sunday.

South Africa and the West Indies have remained in Kolkata since their exits from the tournament.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

South Africa were knocked out after losing to New Zealand in the first semi-final on March 4, while the West Indies have been in the city since their defeat against India in their final Super Eight fixture on March 1.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy even took to social media to highlight the delay, posting “Day 6” on his X account on Saturday, a reference to the number of days the team had been waiting to travel after their last match.

Some members of the South African contingent will have a tight turnaround after leaving India.

Team management members, along with players Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith and George Linde, are scheduled to travel to New Zealand on Sunday for a limited-overs tour that begins on March 15.

Zimbabwe also experienced travel delays after playing their final match of the tournament on March 1, though parts of their squad were able to depart India on March 4.

The ongoing T20 World Cup, which began on February 7 across venues in India and Sri Lanka, will conclude on Sunday with the final between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

READ: Aryna Sabalenka shows off engagement ring during Indian Wells win

Finn Allen smashes multiple records with T20 World Cup semi-final blitz

KOLKATA: New Zealand opener Finn Allen smashed multiple records during his 33-ball century in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa on Wednesday.

Playing the first semi-final at Eden Gardens, Allen delivered a breathtaking unbeaten 100 off just 33 deliveries as New Zealand chased down the 170-run target with ease to seal a crushing nine-wicket win.

The right-hander’s blistering knock featured 10 fours and eight towering sixes and earned him the Player of the Match award.

The century also rewrote the record books, becoming the fastest hundred ever scored in the history of men’s T20 World Cups.

Allen surpassed the long-standing mark held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who had reached the milestone in 47 balls against England during the 2016 edition.

Gayle still occupies two spots on the list of the fastest T20 World Cup centuries, including his 50-ball hundred against South Africa in the inaugural 2007 tournament.

England captain Harry Brook also features among the fastest after scoring a 50-ball century against Pakistan earlier in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing event.

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum completes the top five with his 51-ball century against Bangladesh during the 2014 edition.

Fastest centuries in men’s T20 World Cups

Finn Allen (New Zealand) – 33 balls against South Africa in 2026

Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 47 balls against England in 2016

Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 50 balls against South Africa in 2007

Harry Brook (England) – 50 balls against Pakistan in 2026

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 51 balls against Bangladesh in 2012

Allen’s blistering knock also ranks among the quickest centuries in overall T20 Internationals.

His 33-ball ton is now joint third-fastest in the format, drawing level with Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza and Namibia batter Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton.

The record for the fastest century in men’s T20Is is currently held by Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who smashed a remarkable 27-ball hundred against Cyprus in 2024.

Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad follows with a 29-ball ton against Bulgaria in 2025.

Fastest centuries in men’s T20Is

Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) – 27 balls against Cyprus in 2024

Muhammad Fahad (Turkey) – 29 balls against Bulgaria in 2025

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) – 33 balls against Nepal in 2024

Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 33 balls against Gambia in 2024

Finn Allen (New Zealand) – 33 balls against South Africa in 2026

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed join Pakistan men’s selection committee

Pakistan avoid whitewash against South Africa with massive win

DURBAN: Pakistan women’s team sealed a commanding 119-run win over South Africa in the third ODI to avoid a whitewash here at the Kingsmead on Sunday.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan racked up 306-8 on the back of impressive half-centuries from Sadaf Shams and skipper Fatima Sana in their 50 overs.

Shamas anchored the innings with a superb 97 off 82 balls, striking 16 fours and a six, while Sana injected late momentum with a rapid 60 off just 41 deliveries, laced with five sixes and three fours.

Shamas, who fell just short of a century, was named Player of the Match for her composed knock at the top.

She received valuable support from Sidra Amin (41) and wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi (36), ensuring Pakistan posted a formidable total.

For South Africa, Sune Luus returned figures of 3/42 in nine overs, while Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed two wickets. Ayanda Hlubi, Annerie Dercksen, and Chloe Tryon picked up one each.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Chasing a stiff 307-run target, the hosts endured a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just seven runs inside two overs.

Annerie Dercksen attempted to revive the innings, first sharing a 90-run third-wicket stand with Faye Tunnicliff before Nashra Sandhu dismissed the latter for 47.

Dercksen then added another crucial 50-run partnership with Sinalo Jafta, but their departures in quick succession left South Africa reeling at 147/6.

Dercksen top-scored with a fighting 54 off 67 balls, while Jafta contributed 33, but the lower order failed to mount further resistance.

Pakistan’s bowlers capitalised on the momentum, bowling out South Africa for 187 in 36.2 overs.

Sadia Iqbal led the bowling effort with figures of 3/41, while Nashra Sandhu, Umme-Hani and captain Sana claimed two wickets apiece.

Tasmia Rubab chipped in with one to seal a comprehensive win for the visitors.

READ: FIH World Cup Qualifier: Pakistan prevail over China in thrilling win

T20 World Cup: Raza heroics in vain as South Africa stay unbeaten

South Africa survived a brilliant all-round show by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to record a five-wicket win Sunday that means they remained unbeaten at the T20 World Cup ahead of a semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday.

After Zimbabwe scored 153-7 in New Delhi, South Africa survived an early wobble.

Dewald Brevis hit 42 off 18 balls as the 2024 runners-up reached 154-5 in 17.5 overs.

“It’s exciting. Really exciting. A semi-final in Kolkata against New Zealand,” said South Africa captain Aiden Markram.

“The boys will be up for it. It’s still 40 overs of good cricket needed and we need to give it that respect.”

Raza, who was named player of the match, earlier hit 73 and then took 3-29 with his off-spin for Zimbabwe, who had stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stage to reach the Super Eights.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“My immediate reflection is that I shouldn’t be here. I’ve never got a man of the match for losing the game, but I can hold my head high,” said Raza.

“The way the boys have played the whole tournament, I know we took a bit of beating in the previous two games, but I think with each beating came a valuable lesson. I think we have improved with every game that we have played.”

Raza struck on the third ball of the South African chase to send back Quinton de Kock caught behind for a duck.

Raza bowled Markram for four in the next over.

Ryan Rickelton was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Brad Evans and took five minutes to recover.

He then lifted Evans for two straight sixes in the next over before the bowler had him caught for 31.

Brevis and David Miller, who hit 22, put on 50 before two more quick strikes from Zimbabwe.

Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Miller, and Raza removed Brevis.

Tristan Stubbs (21) and George Linde (30) then put on an unbeaten 53 to steer their side to the target.

After choosing to bat, Zimbabwe lost the in-form opener Brian Bennett, who hit an unbeaten 97 in the defeat by India, for 15.

Raza reached his fifty off 29 balls before falling to left-armer Kwena Maphaka, caught by Miller off a leading edge.

Clive Madande boosted the total with 26 not out off 20 balls at the end.

Maphaka took 2-21 from his four overs and Corbin Bosch 2-40.

READ: Former Pakistan captain weighs options to replace Salman Ali Agha

T20 World Cup: South Africa close in on semis after West Indies rout

AHMEDABAD: Aiden Markram led from the front with a captain’s knock as South Africa thrashed West Indies by nine wickets to move closer to a semi-final berth in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights on Thursday.

South Africa made lightwork of a stiff 177 target, chasing in 16.1 overs with ease, losing only one wicket in the process.

After the first innings, the momentum was on West Indies side, who remarkably recovered from a precarious position.

However, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram came out all guns blazing, racing to 69 at the end of the powerplay.

The duo made West Indies bowling attack clueless with their aggressive stroke play, particularly Markram who remained the core aggressor.

West Indies finally got a breakthrough in the form of De Kock, who made 47 from 24 balls with the aid of four sixes and four boundaries.

At this point, South Africa were well ahead in the game, with 95 for 1 in 8 overs.

Despite the wicket, Markram continued on, stitching an 82-run partnership with Ryan Rickelton.

The pair made the chase look easy and reached the target on the first ball of the 16th over.

Markram’s unbeaten 82 off 46 was laced with four sixes and seven boundaries. Rickelton also supported him well, managing 45 off 28, including two sixes and four boundaries.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For West Indies, there was nothing much in the bowling chart, except a solitary wicket for Roston Chase.

Earlier, A record eighth-wicket partnership by Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder enabled the West Indies to overcome an early collapse and post 176-8 against South Africa.

The pair came together with their team in deep trouble at 83-7 and put on 89, the highest eighth-wicket stand in the history of T20 internationals.

Shepherd was unbeaten on 52 off 37 balls with four sixes. Holder was run out off the penultimate ball of the innings for 49 off 31 balls with three maximums.

Both teams came into the match with a perfect five wins in the T20 World Cup so far.

South Africa have played four of their five matches in Ahmedabad and captain Aiden Markram had no hesitation in opting to bowl when he won the toss.

The West Indies took 17 off the first over, bowled by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Kagiso Rabada’s introduction halted their charge as captain Shai Hope (16) edged his second ball to keeper Quinton de Kock.

Shimron Hetmyer was dropped at mid-on by Corbin Bosch off the next delivery, but lasted only two more when he miscued to midwicket, where Maharaj snapped up the catch.

Lungi Ngidi got in the act in his first over when Brandon King, on 21, edged to De Kock, and two balls later, Roston Chase chopped on.

From 29-0 after two overs, the West Indies slumped to 43-4 after four.

Ngidi took 3-30 from his four overs, Rabada 2-2, and Bosch 2-31.

READ: How Pakistan can still reach semi-finals after Sri Lanka elimination

India battle for T20 World Cup survival after ‘messing up on grand scale’

Defending T20 World Cup champions India need “two big performances” to reach the semi-finals after Sunday’s huge defeat to South Africa, said their assistant coach.

India came into the T20 World Cup 2026 as hot favourites on home soil but were thrashed by 76 runs in the Super Eights as 80,000 fans at the massive Narendra Modi stadium were stunned into silence.

In their first chase of the tournament, India’s batting came up woefully short in the face of some disciplined South Africa bowling.

India collapsed to 111 all out in 18.5 overs in response to South Africa’s 187-7 as their 12-match win streak in the T20 World Cup came to a crashing end.

The magnitude of the defeat has left India with a desperate net run-rate of -3.8 and likely needing to win their last two Super Eight matches convincingly to make it to the semi-finals.

Anything less, and India will need to rely on a combination of other results going their way.

“Very disappointed in the performance,” said Ryan ten Doeschate. “When you set out to win a World Cup, don’t expect someone to come and deliver it to you halfway through”

“We’ve messed up on a grand scale, and now the onus is on this group of guys to turn it around and put in two solid performances,” the assistant coach added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

India are grouped with South Africa, the West Indies and Zimbabwe in Super Eights, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.

The West Indies face Zimbabwe on Monday night in Mumbai in their Super Eights opener.

India next face giant-killers Zimbabwe, who have already beaten Australia and Sri Lanka, on Thursday in Chennai.

South Africa play the West Indies the same day in Ahmedabad, where Aiden Markram’s side could put one foot firmly in the semi-finals with another win.

“Obviously, with the way the group goes, you need at least four points to get through now, and it’s going to need two big performances and a big bounce back from everyone,” said Ten Doeschate.

India’s fragile batting was exposed against an in-form bowling attack led by left-arm quick Marco Jansen, who returned figures of 4-22 from 3.5 overs. Keshav Maharaj took 3-24 with his left-arm spin.

The 2024 champions also have the weight of history against them. No team has ever retained the T20 World Cup, and no side have ever won the trophy on home soil.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan comments on potentially breaking Virat Kohli’s record

Dominant South Africa thrash India in Super Eight clash

AHMEDABAD: David Miller’s brisk half-century and a commanding bowling performance powered South Africa to a big win over the defending champions India in the second Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set 188, India were blown away in the chase by South Africa, bowling them out for 111 in 18.5 overs.

India were off to a similar start, losing their top three batters inside four overs.

Hence, the only difference was the absence of a Miller and Brevis-like partnership, which could have carried them all the way.

As a result, India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. The Nadir came when Corbin Bosch chipped in the wickets of skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar.

Yadav could manage only 18 from 2,2 while Sundar scored 11.

The slide continued, but it got a break with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya’s partnership of 35, which provided them with a glimmer of hope.

But Keshav Maharaj’s 14th over proved to be a final nail in the coffin, as the hosts lost three wickets. Hardik (18 from 17 balls), Rinku Singh (0), and Arshdeep Singh (1) were all caught in a similar fashion on the boundary rope by Tristan Stubbs.

The innings quickly unraveled with South Africa sealing a decisive 76-run victory.

Marco Jansen remained prolific for South Africa with his four-wicket haul, while Keshav Maharaj snared three to put his name into the wickets column.

Earlier, opting to bat first under lights here at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa huffed and puffed to 183-5 in their 20 overs.

The hosts were on top as they removed South Africa’s top three in the first four overs.

With the Proteas reeling at 20-3, David Miller and Dewald Brevis joined hands and took their side out of trouble.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The pair not only launched a steady recovery with a 97-run stand, but also put South Africa in a commanding position at 117 in 12.2 overs.

Shivam Dube provided India the much-needed breakthrough, removing Dewald Brevis for 45 from 29 balls. The right-hander hit three fours and three sixes in his enterprising knock.

Meanwhile, David Miller continued on, adding another 35 runs with Tristan Stubbs.

The southpaw got out just when South Africa were eyeing a massive total. He made 63 off 35, including three sixes and seven fours.

After his wicket, South Africa lost their way, thanks to a brilliant over from Jasprit Bumrah.

But it was Tristan Stubbs’ blitz in the final over that helped the 2024 runners-up finish strong. Stubbs tonked Hardik Pandya for 20 runs to finish strong.

The right-hander remained unbeaten on 44 from 23 balls, laced with three maximums and a four.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah remained the outstanding bowler, scalping three wickets while giving away just three runs.

READ: Sehrish Ali storms into German Junior Open 2026 final

T20 World Cup: South Africa win toss against India

AHMEDABAD: South Africa have won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday.

Playing XIs

India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi.

Head-to-head

Both teams have met 35 times in the shorter format. India leads with 23 wins, while South Africa has 13, with one match ending in a no result.

The Men in Blue are also leading in the T20 World Cup with five wins. Meanwhile, Proteas remained successful in two matches.

Their last meeting in the tournament came in the final of the 2024 edition, which the Men in Blue won by seven runs.

Matches: 35 India: 23, South Africa: 13, No Result: 1

READ: T20 World Cup: England sink Sri Lanka in clinical bowling display

Lahore Qalandars sign THIS South African batter for PSL 11

Lahore Qalandars have bolstered their squad ahead of the landmark season 11 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) by securing South African wicketkeeper-batter Rubin Hermann as a direct signing.

The franchise confirmed the development on Saturday through their official social media platforms, welcoming the left-hander with a succinct message: “Gloves on. Bat in hand. South African Rubin Hermann joins the Lahore Qalandars as a Direct Signing.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars)

Set to run from March 26 to May 3, PSL 11 promises to be a defining season for franchises reshaping their combinations, and Hermann’s addition gives Qalandars a versatile option in the middle order.

The 29-year-old has played seven T20 Internationals for South Africa, scoring 153 runs at a strike rate of 131.89, registering a half-century in the process.

At the domestic and franchise level, his numbers underline consistency. Across 65 T20 appearances, the left-hander has scored 1,497 runs at a strike rate of 127.83, including eight fifties and a century.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Rubin Hermann also arrives with valuable league experience, having represented Paarl Royals in two seasons of SA20.

In 21 matches, he amassed 559 runs at a strike rate of 119.70, striking four half-centuries and often anchoring the innings in challenging situations.

For Lahore, the signing strengthens their wicketkeeping options as Haseebullah Khan was the only glovesman in the squad.

Lahore Qalandars squad for PSL 11

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Naeem, Mustafizur Rahman, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman, Ubaid Shah, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Farooq, Dasun Shanaka, Parvez Hossain Emon, Asif Ali, Tayyab Tahir, Gudakesh Motie and Rubin Hermann.

READ: What New Zealand washout means for Pakistan semi-final qualification?

South Africa cruise past UAE to seal perfect group-stage run

DELHI: South Africa continued their dominant march in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium to finish the group stage unbeaten.

Chasing a modest target of 123, the Proteas wrapped up the contest with ease in just 13.2 overs, losing four wickets, as their batting unit once again delivered a composed and clinical performance.

South Africa began aggressively, with skipper Aiden Markram setting the tone early through a flurry of boundaries.

His brisk 28 off 11 balls powered the side to a rapid start before spinner Haider Ali cleaned him up, breaking a 32-run opening stand.

Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton then steadied the innings, guiding South Africa past the 50-run mark inside the powerplay.

However, the UAE struck again when Muhammad Jawadullah removed de Kock for 14, leaving the Proteas at 56-2.

Dewald Brevis joined Rickelton, and the duo effectively sealed the contest with a fluent 49-run partnership for the third wicket.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Rickelton played a lively cameo of 30 from 16 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, before falling to Muhammad Farooq with the score at 105-3.

Brevis continued the charge with a controlled 36 off 25 deliveries, hitting one four and three sixes, before being dismissed by Mohammad Arfan.

By then, the result was beyond doubt, as Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith guided South Africa home comfortably.

Earlier, the UAE struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat, managing 122-6 in their 20 overs.

Alishan Sharafu top-scored with a fighting 45 off 38 balls, including five fours and a six, while captain Muhammad Waseem contributed 22. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to trouble South Africa’s disciplined attack.

For the Proteas, Corbin Bosch was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs.

Anrich Nortje picked up two scalps, while George Linde added one, ensuring the UAE were restricted to a below-par total.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan win toss against Namibia