Tag: South Africa

WINDHOEK: South Africa and Sri Lanka delivered dominant performances to seal victories over Tanzania and Ireland respectively in their group stage fixtures here at the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 on Monday.

Put into bat first, South Africa racked up a massive 397-5 at the end of their 50 overs.

Skipper Muhammed Bulbulia and Jason Rowles scored commanding centuries, with both batters forging a monumental 201-run stand for the third wicket partnership.

The pair took the score from 93 to 294 in 42.5 overs.

Bulbulia’s innings of 108 from 108 balls was laced with 10 fours and six while Rowles remained unbeaten on 125* from 101 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and five sixes.

For Tanzania, Simba Mbaki picked up two wickets.

In reply, Tanzania could not get going, with the whole team bundled out for only 68 in 32.2 overs. The innings involved two run-outs with one batter absent due to injury.

For South Africa, it was Jason Rowles again with the ball, scalping two wickets. Bayanda Majola also took wickets.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In the Group A fixture played here at the Namibia Cricket Ground, Sri Lanka crushed Ireland by 106 runs as skipper Vimath Dinsara led from the front with an all-round performance.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka managed to put 267-5 on the board in their 50 overs.

Despite losing three wickets for 59 in 14.2 overs, it was Vimath Dinsara who held the innings together. He strung a couple of partnerships that kept Sri Lanka afloat.

The highlight of Sri Lankan batting was a century stand between Dinsara and Kavija Gamage, which brought the total from 139-4 to 239 in 46 overs.

Dinsara top-scored with 95 from 102 balls, striking half a dozen boundaries and a six.

Gamage fell one short of a half-century, a knock that included six boundaries. Meanwhile, Chamika Heenatigala also chipped in with 51 off 53 balls.

For Ireland, Oliver Riley took two wickets.

In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 161 in 40.1 overs, thanks to Dulnith Sigera’s four-wicket haul.

The Irish batters were in trouble fromthe start, with none of their batters getting going except opener Callum Armstrong, who made 39.

With this win, Sri Lanka registered their second consecutive win of the tournament, having previously defeated Japan in their opening encounter.

READ: WATCH: Ahmed Hussain’s stunning catch against Scotland

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have named a strong 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas with a set of key players returning to the fold.

The pace attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada, who missed out on the India tour due to an injury. Pacer Anrich Nortje has also been included in the squad, who returned after an injury layoff during the T20Is against India.

Markram, Quinton De Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, and Donovan Ferreira make up a strong batting lineup, whereas Kwena Maphaka, Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Corbin Bosch will also bolster the bowling lineup.

Among the notable absences is Tristan Stubbs, who was left out of the 15. On the contrary, Jason Smith, who has five international caps to his name, is also included in the squad.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Following the squad announcement, the chair of selectors, Patrick Moroney, shed light on the team.

“We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka,” he said in a statement.

“We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through,” he added.

South Africa, who remained the runners-up in the 2024 edition, are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Squad:

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje

READ: BCB confirms Pakistan’s 2026 tour of Bangladesh

South Africa ODI and Test skipper Temba Bavuma opened up on the recently concluded tour of India, addressing the controversies that happened during the Test series.

Bavuma, in his article on Cricinfo, wrote about the incidents that happened during the series and their memorable 2-0 triumph, marking their first Test series win in India since 2000.

However, the tour was marred by some controversies, starting from the series opener when India players Jasprit Bumrah and the wicket-keeper were caught on stump mic calling Bavuma a ‘dwarf’.

Both players’ chat went viral as they called Bavuma ‘Bauna’ (Dwarf), a term referring to a person of short height.

“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised,” he said.

“When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about, I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it, the skipper revealed.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Bavuma said that he held grudges and shed light on the ‘Grovel’ remark that stirred controversy during the tour.

“What happens on the field stays on the field, but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se,” he continued

“I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments that were made. I thought Shukri was the man best positioned to give context to it all.

The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavoury taste to it, but I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was and what it meant to certain individuals within the group,” he said.

The 35-year-old talked about the head coach putting the issue to rest while admitting that he could have used a better phrase to share his thoughts.

“Shukri spoke after the ODI series and put that issue to bed. In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word, and I agree with him,” he concluded.

READ: ECB probes Ben Duckett viral video amid drinking allegations

Hardik Pandya led India’s batting assault with his 16-ball 50 to set up a 30-run win over South Africa and clinch the series 3-1 in the fifth T20I on Friday.

A punishing 105-run fourth partnership between Pandya, who hammered 63 off off 25 balls, and Tilak Varma (73) swept India to 231-5 at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

In reply, South Africa started strongly thanks to a 35-ball 65 by Quinton de Kock, who played his 100th T20 for the national team, but the opener’s departure triggered a collapse, and the Proteas ended on 201-8.

The win sealed India’s eighth consecutive T20 series triumph, a streak that began in December 2023.

South Africa began the tour with a stunning 2-0 triumph in the Test series, but the white-ball contests proved disappointing as they also lost the one-day series 2-1.

Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah returned figures of 2-17, including the key wicket of De Kock, who chipped a yorker straight back to him. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy took four wickets, bowling Donovan Ferreira and George Linde.

The series was part of the build-up for the T20 World Cup, which starts in February in India and Sri Lanka.

Put into bat after the fourth match was abandoned due to fog in Lucknow, Indian openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma started briskly before Pandya tore into the opposition attack.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Seam bowler Corbin Bosch cut short left-handed Abhishek’s knock on 34, and Samson fell for 37, bowled off left-arm spinner Linde.

India lost their third wicket when skipper Suryakumar Yadav got out for five to extend his lean run with the bat.

T20 specialist Suryakumar has managed just 244 runs across his last 22 innings in this format with no fifties.

Pandya walked in and smacked Bosch for a six to signal his intent with the bat, and in the next over, hammered Linde for two sixes and two fours.

The middle-order batter registered India’s second-fastest T20 fifty, behind Yuvraj Singh’s record of a 12-ball half-century in 2007.

The left-handed Varma also impressed with is clean hitting, but Pandya’s carnage that included five fours and five sixes stole the show.

Pandya finally fell to Ottneil Baartman, and Varma got run out on the penultimate ball, but the pair helped India get 116 runs from the last eight overs.

Vice-captain Shubman Gill missed the match after he injured his right foot while batting in the nets in Lucknow.

In the South African chase, De Kock’s 51-run second-wicket partnership with Dewald Brevis, who made 31 off 17 balls, gave the Proteas hope, but regular wickets and rising asking rate proved too much.

READ: England assistant coach provides update on Stokes’ fitness

LUCKNOW:  The fourth T20I between India and South Africa has been called off due to excessive fog here on Wednesday.

The play was called off due to excessive fog, with conditions not conducive to play.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city remained in the 400s, a level considered hazardous. Due to this, umpires remained concerned about visibility and six inspections took place before play was finally called off.

With this, India will head into the final fixture already 2-1 up in the series, whereas South Africa will be hoping to draw level.

The final and fifth T20I will be played in Ahmedabad on 19 December, which will also conclude South Africa’s all-format tour of India.

For the unversed, India won the T20I series opener by 101 runs, followed by a dominant comeback win for South Africa in the second match.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In the second T20I, the Proteas showcased their batting prowess and posted 213-4 in their 20 overs.

In reply, India were bowled out for 162-4 in 19.1 overs, thanks to a clinical bowling effort.

The Men in Blue bounced back with a seven-wicket victory after skittling South Africa for 117 in 20 overs.

The home side reached the target in 15.5 overs, losing only three wickets in the process, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s 35 from 18, which was laced with three sixes and three fours.

Earlier, India clinched the ODI series 2-1 while South Africa started the tour with a 2-0 sweep in the Test series.

EREAD: Snicko Operator admits mistake in Carey’s controversial not out

GQEBERHA: Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus hit sparkling centuries to power South Africa women to a series victory over Ireland women here at the St George’s Park, Gqeberha on Tuesday.

Chasing a daunting 376, Ireland were bowled out for 301 in 47.5 overs.

Ireland started poorly in the chase as opener Sarah Forbes went without scoring. As a result, skipper Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter added 77 for the second wicket to put the chase back on track.

Lewis scored 45 off 52 with the help of eight fours. Following her wicket, Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter kept Ireland in the hunt with a 93-run partnership.

The duo’s batting brought the scoring to 170 in 29.3 before Hunter’s removal dented the chase. Hunter managed to score 64 from 66 balls.

With the asking rate rising, it was already an uphill task for Irish batters despite Prendergast remaining battling out till the 40th over.

She was eventually dismissed for a well-made 97 from 86 balls, laced with 10 fours and two sixes.

For South Africa, Leah Jones remained the standout bowler, taking three wickets while Nondumiso Shangase and Miane Smit scalped two apiece.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa were 59-2 after the first 10 overs before a mammoth 179-run stand between Wolvaardt and Luss brought the score to 238 in 36.5 overs.

The partnership was eventually broken with Wolvaardt’s wicket, who made 124 from 119 balls laced with 19 fours.

Meanwhile, Luss forged another 117 with Dane van Niekerk, which propelled the score over the 350-run mark.

Sune Luss made 114 from 113, striking 13 fours and a six, while Niekerk unleashed a boundary barrage with a quick-fire 88 off just 47 balls. She hit 13 fours and three sixes in her power-packed knock.

For Ireland, Jane Maguire managed to scalp three wickets.

The third ODI will be played on 19 December in Johannesburg.

READ: Shoaib Akhtar wants THIS Bangladesh pacer to break his speed record

DUBAI: South Africa off-spinner Simon Harmer has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November 2025, following a series of stellar performances during his team’s Test tour of India.

Harmer was nominated alongside Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz and Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam to claim the prestigious award.

Harmer delivered outstanding performances in the Test series against India, taking 17 wickets at a mouthwatering average of 8.94.

His heroics played a vital role in the Proteas’ first 2-0 series win against India, marking South Africa’s first in India since 2000.

The 36-year-old Harmer broke the back of India’s batting lineup with eight wickets in the opening Test, followed by nine in the second to seal a historic series win, hence earning him the Player of the Series award.

Following the announcement, Harmer expressed gratitude and pride in the achievement.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“It’s a privilege to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November,” ICC quoted Harmer.

“Playing for my country is a dream come true, and anything else that comes from it as a result is a bonus,” he remarked.

He further thanked the coaching staff and compatriots and felt proud to represent the South Africa team.

“I share this award with my teammates, coaches, and support staff and dedicate it to my family, who allow me to go out and live my dream, often having to leave them at home to do so.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of the Proteas team and I hope to enjoy many more successful seasons with this remarkable group of people,” Harmer concluded.

READ: Sri Lanka to arrest World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga

MUMBAI: Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as a replacement for India all-rounder Axar Patel for the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa.

The news was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a press release.

“He [Axar] is with the team in Lucknow [the venue for the fourth T20I], where he will be further medically assessed,” the BCCI said in a statement.

Axar Patel had also missed the third T20I fixture at Dharamsala, whereas he had modest outings in the opening two fixtures of the five-match series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In the opening match played at Cuttack, Axar managed to score 23 off 21 and returned with the bowling figures of 2 for 7.

On the contrary, he had a poor show in New Changigarh, where he picked up one wicket while giving away 27 in three overs. However, Axar’s batting came under the spotlight following a run-a-ball 21 after his promotion to the No.3 position.

Shahbaz Ahmed has represented India in three ODIs and two T20Is, with his last appearance coming in the final of the 2023 Asian Games against Afghanistan.

The fourth and fifth T20I is slated to commence on December 17 and 19 in Lucknow and Ahmedabad, respectively, with India leading the series 2-1.

India’s updated squad for last two T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed

READ: No need for experiments before T20 World Cup, says Afridi

Opener Quinton de Kock hit a 46-ball 90 to set up South Africa’s convincing 51-run win over India in the second T20 international and level the series on Thursday.

De Kock’s knock, laced with five fours and seven sixes, powered South Africa to 213-4 after being invited to bat first on the outskirts of Chandigarh.

South Africa bowled out India for 162 in 19.1 overs despite Tilak Varma’s valiant 62 off 34 balls as the visitors pulled one back after they lost the opener of the five-match series.

The series is part of the build-up for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

Medium-pace bowler Ottneil Baartman stood out with figures of 4-24.

The left-handed de Kock set the tone for the big win after he put on 83 runs for the second wicket with skipper Aiden Markram, who made 29.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy bowled opener Reeza Hendricks for eight on his first ball and later dismissed Markram after being hit for two sixes by the captain.

De Kock, who turns 33 on Wednesday, looked in control from the start as he hit left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh for two sixes in the bowlers’ first two overs.

The wicketkeeper-batter raised his 17th T20 half-century with a four off Hardik Pandya but missed out on his ton after being run out by his opposite number, Jitesh Sharma.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Axar Patel removed Dewald Brevis for 14 before David Miller unleashed his fury with four boundaries off Jasprit Bumrah in a 15-run over and made an unbeaten 20.

Donovan Ferreira finished with a flourish in his unbeaten 30 as he hit Bumrah for two sixes in the 20th over.

In reply, Shubman Gill fell for a first-ball duck off Lungi Ngidi.

Left-arm quick Marco Jansen took down Abhishek Sharma, caught behind for 17, and India were in trouble when he had skipper Suryakumar Yadav out for five.

Varma and Axar Patel attempted to hit back with a string of boundaries, but Baartman broke through as India slumped to 67-4 inside eight overs.

Baartman cut short Axar’s knock on 21 off 21 balls with Hendricks taking a low catch at cover.

Varma kept up the charge and found support from Pandya, and then Sharma, but South Africa struck regular blows.

Lutho Sipamla sent back Pandya for 20 and Sharma for 27 as India’s chase fizzled out, and Varma was the last man out off Ngidi.

The third match is on Sunday in the Himalayan town of Dharamsala.

READ: ICC announces ticket sales for Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

NEW CHANDIGARH: India pacer Arshdeep Singh on Thursday registered an unwanted record after bowling a 13-ball over against South Africa in the second T20I here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

The left-arm pacer’s mind-baffling 11th over of the match, which consisted of seven wide deliveries, yielded 18 runs.

With this, Arshdeed equalled the record of the longest over bowled in T20Is by a full-member nation player. Previously, Afghanistan’s pacer Naveen-ul-Haq bowled a 13-ball over against Zimbabwe.

Longest over by a bowler in T20Is (Full-member nations)

Arshdeep Singh – 13 balls (18 runs) vs South Africa, New Chandigarh 2025
Naveen-ul-Haq – 13 balls (19 runs) vs Zimbabwe, Harare 2024
Sisanda Magala – 12 balls (18 runs) vs Pakistan, Johannesburg 2021
Mark Adair – 11 balls (26 runs) vs Australia, Brisbane 2022

The previous longest over by an Indian was 11 balls, bowled by Khaleel Ahmed and Hardik Pandya. Khaleel had bowled a 13-ball over in Pallekele against Sri Lanka in 2024, while Pandya created the ignominious record in Adelaide in 2016.

Longest over by an Indian bowler in T20Is

Arshdeep Singh – 13 balls (18 runs) vs South Africa, New Chandigarh 2025
Khaleel Ahmed – 11 balls (11 runs) vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele 2024
Hardik Pandya – 11 balls (19 runs) vs Australia, Adelaide 2016
Arshdeep Singh – 10 balls (13 runs) vs Ireland, New York 2024
Arshdeep Singh – 10 balls (6 runs) vs West Indies, Tarouba 2023

Nonetheless, South Africa posted a mammoth total of 213-4 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to ace batter Quinton de Kock’s sublime 90 off 46, laced with seven sixes and five fours.

For India, Varun Chakravarthy remained the pick of bowlers, scalping two wickets in his four overs while giving away only 29.

READ: WATCH: Trophy unveiled for ACC U-19 Asia Cup