The Super Eight match of Group 2 of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 occurred between West Indies vs South Africa at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on Jun 23, 08:30 PM local. Tabraiz Shamsi claimed 3 wickets whereas batters also contributed well and helped South Africa register a thrilling win in the final over.

Put into bat first, West Indies got a big blow as their in-form opener Shai Hope got out for a 2-ball duck. Star batter Nicholas Pooran also got out for a mere 1 before Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase built the partnership. They added 81 runs before the former got out for 35 runs as Tabraiz Shamsi successfully broke the partnership.

Tabraiz Shamsi claims 3 wickets

While Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford failed to contribute, Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph tried to score but, could only manage 15 and 11 respectively. Wickets at regular intervals didn’t let West Indies batters settle down in the middle as they finished at 135 runs in 20 overs as well. Tabraiz Shamsi claimed 3 wickets whereas Markram, Jensen, Rabada and Maharaj also scalped 1 wicket each.

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While chasing, rain played a spoilsport soon after the innings started and the match paused for quite some time when the score was 15 for 2 after 2 overs. However, when the match started again, they lost three overs and South Africa’s target was 123 (DLS method). Two bowlers could bowl 4 overs, three can bowl 3 overs each as well.

Bowlers successfully put the pressure on the opponent as they managed 50 runs after 6 overs, losing another wicket as well. However, Heinrich Klaasen changed the fate of the game in the 7th over with a maximum and 3 boundaries off Gudakesh Motie and South Africa’s total reached 70 as well. However, Alzarri Joseph removed the dangerous-looking Klassen in the very next over and put the pressure on and after 10 overs, they reached 89 runs as well.

Roston Chase shines with the ball

Roston Chase soon bowled Miller and South Africa lost half of their squad at 100 runs after 13 overs. Chase soon after removed Tristan Stubbs for 29 and the equation came down to 19 needed from 18 balls as well. Amid this, Chase again struck and dismissed Maharaj for 2 as well and 9 required off 7 balls when Rabada hit a boundary and eased the pressure.

In the final over, Marco Jansen smashed a six and sealed the deal for his side. With this win, South Africa booked their place in the semi-final.

Player of the Match

Tabraiz Shamsi said – “I’m sweating. I wasn’t even out there. Quite nervy at the end. That’s been the theme of our tournament – we finding a way to win as a team, no matter what the situation is. The people out there, our supporters would probably like bigger wins. But things like this keeps us in check. When the pressure hits, the team has been able to overcome those moments. Last time I played here I went for 50 runs. There was lots of chatter.

I just had to back my plans and got the backing from the coaching staff to come back at the ground where I hadn’t done well. The guys who bowled before me set it up beautifully. From the first game we’ve won it as a team. It’s not about individuals. We’ve got so many match-winners in the squad. Little bits of contributions here and there are taking us over the line. As a team, that’s the best place to be in. It’s always a one-sided love affair – World Cups, South Africa and the rain. The boys were calm in the sheds. We knew what we had to do.”