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AHMEDABAD: Marco Jansen’s four-wicket haul, backed by a sublime 86* from skipper Aiden Markram, led South Africa to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the Group D fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
South Africa chased down 176 in 17.1 overs with aggressive stroke play, losing only three wickets in the process.
Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram provided a rollicking start. The pair made light work of the chase with 62 in 4.4 overs.
Markram remained the core aggressor with elegant stroke play while De Kock played second fiddle.
The stand culminated with De Kock’s wicket, castled by Lockie Ferguson for 20.
Despite the wicket, New Zealand were unable to stem the runs flow with Ryan Rickelton and Markram both capitalizing on lightning fast outfield.
Rickelton was caught after scoring 21 from 11 with the help of a six and two fours.
At this stage, South Africa were 102-2 in 7.4 overs.
Meanwhile, Markram continued on his charge and never allowed New Zealand bowlers to dominate
South Africa eventually cruised to victory with Markram remaining unbeaten on 86 from 44 balls, laced with four maximums and eight fours.
David Miller, on the other hand, chipped in with 24 off 17, including a six and four.
For New Zealand, there was nothing much in the bowling ranks as Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, and Lockie Ferguson scalped one apiece.
The victory consolidated South Africa top spot in Group with six points from three games.
Earlier, South Africa pacer Marco Jansen’s four-wicket haul restricted New Zealand’s batting lineup from posting an imposing total
Asked to bat first here under lights at the Narendra Modi Stadium, New Zealand managed 175-7 in 20 overs.
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were off to a flyer, racing to 33 in 3.2 overs.
Siefert, who remained cautious, was the first wicket to fall as Jansen snared him for 13.
After an early wicket, struggling Rachin Ravindra came to the crease and was involved in a brief 24-run stand with Allen.
The last over of the powerplay saw New Zealand losing the plot as both batters were sent back by Marco Jansen.
The tall left-arm pacer first removed Ravindra, thanks to a sharp catch from David Miller at short third position. The soutpaw could only manage 13 from eight, including a six and a four.
Second, he bagged the prized wicket of Allen on the final ball of the over to leave BlackCaps reeling at 57-3 in six overs. Allen’s 31 off 17 included two sixes and four boundaries.
The BlackCaps’ woes were further compounded when Keshav Maharaj castled Glenn Phillips for just one.
With New Zealand 64-4 in 6.4 overs, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell came to the fore and rescued their side with a crucial 74-run partnership off 44 balls.
The pair soaked up the pressure and took the score to 138 runs in 14 overs before New Zealand again lost their way with late South Africa strikes.
They lost three wickets in quick time as James Neesham played a little cameo off 23 from 15, with the aid of three fours, to take them to a respectable total.
Daryl Mitchell scored 32 off 24, striking a six and two fours, whereas Chapman top-scored with 48 from 26 balls. His knock featured two sixes and six boundaries.
For South Africa, Marco Jansen took 4-40 in four overs while Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi scalped one apiece.
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