South Africa beats Zimbabwe to top Group 1 at T20 World Cup. India opts to field vs West Indies
DELHI, India (AP) — George Linde put in an all-round show as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in their final Super 8 clash at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
All-rounder Linde – brought in for today’s game to rest Keshav Maharaj – picked up 1-22 in three overs and then scored a crucial 30 not out off 21 balls batting at No. 7 as South Africa topped Group 1 and continued its unbeaten run to the semifinals.
Dewald Brevis hit 42 off 18 balls with four sixes, while Tristan Stubbs anchored the innings home with 21 not out off 24 balls, as South Africa finished with 154-5 in 17.5 overs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe opted to bat and put up 153-7 (20 overs) thanks to skipper Sikandar Raza scoring 73 off 43 balls.
The Proteas, the 2024 runners-up, have now reached the semis after winning all three Super 8 games. They beat India, West Indies and now Zimbabwe, after finishing unbeaten in the so-called group of death — Group D — in round one, also featuring New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Zimbabwe has been eliminated with three losses after making its first appearance in round two at the T20 World Cups.
England and New Zealand qualified for the semis from Group 2, with Pakistan and co-hosts Sri Lanka eliminated.
South Africa unbeaten as Zimbabwe impresses in final game
Raza rescued his side after the top-order stumbled to leave Zimbabwe down to 28-2 in 4.3 overs. He put on 38 off 23 balls with Dion Myers, even as the Proteas struck back in the middle overs.
Linde got the breakthrough, with Myers caught for 11. Raza, though, scored 50 off 29 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes.
Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch (2-40) hit the middle order to reduce Zimbabwe to 87-5 but Raza found an able partner in Clive Madande. They put on 39 off 29 balls, before Kwena Maphaka finally accounted for Raza.
Madande’s 26 not out helped Zimbabwe cross 150.
South Africa too started poorly as Raza struck twice with his off-spin bowling counterpart Aiden Markram out for four, while Quinton de Kock was out caught for a two-ball duck.
Ryan Burl held a terrific catch in the deep to dismiss Ryan Rickelton (31) who put on 29 off 18 balls with Brevis.
The crucial partnership was 50 off 25 balls for the fourth wicket – Brevis and David Miller (22) did the job again for the Proteas.
But Zimbabwe just wouldn’t relent as Raza struck a third time to remove Brevis, while Blessing Muzarabani sent back Miller as South Africa was down to 101-5 in 10.4 overs.
Stubbs-Linde resisted with an unbeaten 53 off 43 balls to see their side home with 13 balls to spare.
India wins toss, fields vs West Indies
Co-host and defending champion India takes on West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday evening to decide the other semifinalist from this group – a virtual quarterfinal in the final Super 8 game of the tournament.
India opted to field after winning the toss at the Eden Gardens.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket