South Africa produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Canada by 57 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday. A four-wicket haul from Lungi Ngidi and a fluent half-century by captain Aiden Markram laid the foundation for a comprehensive victory as the Proteas outplayed Canada in all departments.

Chasing a daunting target of 214 runs, Canada suffered an early setback as Ngidi struck on the very first ball, removing skipper Dilpreet Bajwa. The South African pacer continued his incisive spell in the third over, dismissing Yuvraj Samra with Quinton de Kock completing a sharp catch, before Nicholas Kirton was also sent back to leave Canada struggling at 26 for 3. Although Shreyas Movva and Navneet Dhaliwal found a few boundaries, Kagiso Rabada broke the partnership by dismissing Movva, reducing Canada to 45 for 4 inside the powerplay.

ALSO READ

Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker then tried to rebuild the innings, taking the score past 100 by the end of the 14th over. However, Ngidi returned to remove Thaker for 33 off 29 balls, which included two fours and two sixes. Dhaliwal brought up his half-century off 39 deliveries during the 17th over, but Canada continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen struck twice in the 18th over, dismissing Saad Bin Zafar and Jaskaran Singh, as Canada slipped to 138 for 7. They eventually finished on 156 for 8, falling well short of the target. Ngidi was the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 31, while Jansen picked up 2 for 30, with Rabada and Corbin Bosch chipping in with a wicket each.

Earlier, South Africa posted an imposing total of 213 for 4 after being put in to bat. Markram and de Kock gave the innings a solid start, adding 70 runs for the opening wicket. Markram scored 59 off 32 balls, striking ten fours and a six, while Ryan Rickelton provided impetus in the middle overs with a brisk 33 off 21 deliveries. Saad Bin Zafar was taken on in the 11th over, with Rickelton and Markram punishing him to complete a 50-run stand.

Canada fought back briefly as Ansh Patel dismissed Rickelton and Dewald Brevis in quick succession. However, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs then took control, adding 75 runs off just 37 balls for the fifth wicket. Miller remained unbeaten on 39 off 23 balls, while Stubbs smashed an unbeaten 34 off 19 deliveries, with the duo plundering 21 runs in the final over, including three sixes.

Ansh Patel was the pick of the Canadian bowlers with three wickets for 31 runs, while Bajwa claimed the key wicket of de Kock. Brief scores read South Africa 213 for 4 and Canada 156 for 8, as the Proteas sealed a commanding 57-run victory.

Get every cricket update! Follow us on