South Africa wins by five wickets despite Sikandar Raza’s heroics and will play the first semi-final in Kolkata.
Published March 1, 2026
South Africa survived a brilliant all-round show from Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to record a five-wicket win over their neighbors and set up a T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
South Africa survived an early wobble to overcome feisty Zimbabwe, who scored 153-7, in their final Super Eight match in New Delhi, India, on Sunday.
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Dewald Brevis hit 42 off 18 balls as the 2024 runners-up reached 154-5 in 17.5 overs to remain the only unbeaten team in the cricket tournament.
Earlier, Raza scored 73 and then scored 3-29 with his spin for Zimbabwe, who had stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stage to reach the Super Eight.
Raza hit the third ball of the South African chase to return Quinton de Kock caught behind for a duck and then bowled captain Aiden Markram for four in the next over.
Ryan Rickelton was hit in the helmet by a Brad Evans goalie and took five minutes to recover. He then lifted Evans for two sixes in a row in the next over before the bowler caught him for 31.
Brevis and David Miller, who scored 22, scored 50 before two more quick attacks from Zimbabwe.
Blessing Muzarabani fired Miller and Raza fired Brevis.
Tristan Stubbs (21) and George Linde (30) scored an unbeaten 53 to guide their team towards the target.
After electing to bat, Zimbabwe lost in-form opener Brian Bennett, who scored an unbeaten 97 in the 15-over loss to India.
Raza reached his fifty off 29 balls before falling to left-arm spinner Kwena Maphaka, caught by Miller from the leading edge. Clive Madande increased the total with 26 not out off 20 balls in the end.
Maphaka took 2-21 from his four overs and Corbin Bosch 2-40.
South Africa’s semi-final against New Zealand will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday and will begin at 13:30 GMT. Al Jazeera’s live coverage of the match will begin at 10:30 GMT.
