In a rain-affected Super Eights match in Antigua, South Africa managed to keep their composure and defeated West Indies by three wickets, securing a place in the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The rain-interrupted game at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium saw both teams have their moments, but South Africa ultimately succeeded in chasing down the revised target based on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS method) with five balls remaining.

South Africa vs West Indies

Put into bat first, West Indies struggled against South African bowlers and were limited to 135-8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Tabraiz Shamsi claiming three wickets for 27 runs. Roston Chase led the scoring for West Indies with 52 runs.

The rain caused a delay during South Africa’s innings, adjusting their target to 123 from 17 overs upon resumption.

With South African captain Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs steering the innings, a victory seemed straightforward until Alzarri Joseph dismissed Markram, providing West Indies with some hope.

The home crowd’s support galvanized West Indies as they continued to pressure the South African batsmen, taking wickets at regular intervals. However, Gudakesh Motie’s costly over, which conceded 20 runs, turned the game back in South Africa’s favor.

Despite the tension and South Africa’s past struggles in the closing stages of world cups, lower-order batsmen managed to hold their nerve, supported by a calm dugout atmosphere, as they watched from the sidelines.

Tabraiz Shamsi, who was awarded player of the match, remarked on the relaxed mood within the team and recounted how Marco Jansen sealed the win with an impressive six off Obed McCoy in the final over.

“There was no pressure or panic in the dugout, even during rain interruptions and challenging moments,” Shamsi said post-match. “We stayed calm throughout.”

Markram expressed the relief felt by the team in reaching their first T20 World Cup semifinal in a decade and emphasized the need to perform at their best in the upcoming match.

With this victory, South Africa advanced as the winners of Group 2 and are set to face the runner-up team from Group 1 in the semifinal.