South Africa beat hosts West Indies by 3 wickets in a thrilling match to enter the semi-finals. But the defeat dashed hosts West Indies’ semi-final hopes and ended their challenge in the tournament. From Group 2, South Africa and England have advanced to the semi-finals.
West Indies managed to score only 135 runs on a difficult pitch in a rain-interrupted match. While chasing this small target, South Africa also got flustered. But the South African batsmen played with patience in the tense situation. Due to rain, the match was played in 17 overs. Kagiso Rabada hits a four off the last ball of the 16th over. South Africa needed 5 runs in the last over. Marco Jansson sealed the team’s win by hitting Obed McCoy’s bowling for a six.
Roston Chase’s knock of 52 was crucial in West Indies’ innings. He was well supported by Kyle Meyers scoring 35 runs. Both of them shared a partnership of 81 runs in 65 balls for the third wicket. With the exception of these two, the rest of the West Indies batsmen disappointed. Tabrez Shamsi took 3 wickets for South Africa.
Chasing this target, South Africa quickly lost Reza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram. Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs saved the innings. Clason recovered 20 runs off Gudkesh Motti’s over with fours and sixes. This brought the target under control. But Classon was dismissed on the bounce of Alzari Joseph. He scored 22 runs. Stubbs was then joined by David Miller. Finisher Miller struggled for every single run. Roston Chase made him a hat-trick. Stubbs’ attempt to play a big shot off the bowling of Chase landed in the hands of Meyers. The withdrawal of key batsmen added to South Africa’s worries. Keshav Maharaj was also dismissed in that. It was Chase who knocked him out. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansson played brilliantly to give the team a win as the run and ball ratio was under control. For West Indies, Chase took 3 wickets while Andre Russell and Alzari Joseph took 2 wickets each.
Shamsi, who took three wickets, was honored with the man of the match award.
