The cricketing world descended upon Ahmedabad on Thursday, for a high-stakes T20 World Cup Super 8 encounter between the West Indies and South Africa. In what was the 47th match of the tournament, the Group 1 showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium delivered a masterclass in resilience. While the Proteas’ pace attack initially threatened to blow the Caribbean side away, a historic lower-order fightback ensured the West Indies posted a competitive total in this crucial night fixture.
Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd script historic stand against South Africa
The highlight of the first innings was an extraordinary, record-breaking partnership between Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. When Matthew Forde fell in the 11th over, the West Indies were reeling at a disastrous 83/7. With the top order back in the dugout, South Africa looked poised to wrap up the innings well under the 120-run mark.
However, Holder and Shepherd had other plans. The duo stitched together a monumental 89-run partnership for the eighth wicket, the highest ever recorded in the history of T20 Internationals. Their clinical assault eclipsed the previous record of 80 runs held by Scotland’s PL Mommsen and SM Sharif against the Netherlands in 2015.
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Match Date |
| JO Holder & R Shepherd | 89 | West Indies | South Africa | Feb 26, 2026 |
| PL Mommsen & SM Sharif | 80 | Scotland | Netherlands | Jul 11, 2015 |
| R Sharma & Amjad Mahboob | 75 | Singapore | Cambodia | May 4, 2023 |
| C Madande & WP Masakadza | 75 | Zimbabwe | Bangladesh | May 3, 2024 |
Shepherd was the aggressor, finishing unbeaten on 52 off 37 balls, decorated with three boundaries and four towering sixes. Holder provided the stability and veteran experience, contributing a vital 49 off 31 balls before being tragically run out on the second-to-last ball of the innings.
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Aiden Markram and Lungi Ngidi masterclass propels South Africa to dominant victory over West IndiesÂ
South Africa moved to the brink of a T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal berth on February 26, 2026, after crushing the West Indies by nine wickets in a dominant Super 8 display at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Chasing a target of 177, the Proteas made a mockery of the pursuit by reaching the mark in just 16.1 overs, fueled by a relentless opening assault.
Captain Aiden Markram delivered a definitive ‘Player of the Match’ performance, hammering an unbeaten 82 off just 46 balls, while Quinton de Kock set the tone early with a blistering 47 off 24 deliveries. The foundation for this victory was laid by the South African bowlers, specifically Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, who tore through the West Indian top order to leave them reeling at 52/4 by the end of the Powerplay.
Ngidi was the chief destroyer with figures of 3/30, while Rabada’s 2/22 ensured heavyweights like Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were back in the dugout early. Even though a lower-order recovery allowed the West Indies to post a competitive 176/8, the psychological advantage was swiftly extinguished as Markram and Ryan Rickelton (45*) shared an unbeaten 82-run stand to seal the win with 23 balls to spare.
This clinical victory ensures South Africa remains the only unbeaten team in the tournament and provides a massive boost to India’s qualification hopes by severely denting the West Indies’ Net Run Rate. For the Caribbean side, the loss is a significant reality check, leaving them in a high-pressure situation for their final group matches. The Proteas now sit comfortably at the top of Group 1 with four points, essentially securing their spot among the world’s top four teams.
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