South Africa overwhelmed Canada by 57 runs in their Group D T20 World Cup clash as Aiden Markram’s half-century and Lungi Ngidi’s four-wicket haul dominated at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Canada faced a daunting 214-run target but managed 156 for 8 in 20 overs, despite Navneet Dhaliwal’s heroic 64 off 49 balls, featuring seven boundaries and one six, anchoring the innings largely alone.
Dhaliwal also shared a 69-run fifth-wicket partnership with Harsh Thaker, who scored 33 off 29 balls, while only Yuvraj Sharma and Saad Bin Zafar managed double-figure scores against the formidable bowling attack.
Ngidi claimed four wickets for 31 runs in his four-over spell, earning Player of the Match, while Marco Jansen took two scalps and Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch picked one wicket each.
Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa’s decision to bowl first backfired, as South Africa, last edition’s runners-up, posted 213 for 4, powered by Markram and Quinton de Kock’s 70-run opening stand in seven overs.
De Kock fell for 25 off 22 balls on the penultimate delivery of the seventh over, while Markram added 59 off 32 balls, featuring 10 fours and 1 six before being dismissed.
Ansh Patel then struck twice in one over, removing Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis for 31 and six runs respectively, leaving South Africa on 138 for 4 in 13.5 overs.
David Miller and Tristan Stubbs forged an unbeaten 75-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Miller scoring 39 not out from 23 balls and Stubbs contributing 34 not out off 19 deliveries.
Patel finished with figures of three wickets for 31 runs, while captain Bajwa took one wicket, but South Africa’s strong batting and relentless bowling ensured a commanding 57-run victory over Canada.