South Africa marched into the T20 World Cup semi-finals unbeaten after edging Zimbabwe by five wickets in Delhi, overcoming a stirring all-round performance from Sikandar Raza.
Raza first powered Zimbabwe to 153 for 7 with a superb 73 off 43 balls, striking 12 of the team’s 13 boundaries while he was at the crease. With wickets falling around him, he played with calculated aggression, clearing his front leg to access both sides of the ground and punishing anything pitched up or short. Between overs 4 and 16, he was Zimbabwe’s lone force of resistance.
South Africa’s reshuffled attack, resting senior quicks ahead of the knockouts, responded well. Nineteen-year-old Kwena Maphaka impressed with pace in the low 140kph and clever variations, finishing with 2 for 21. His key moment came in the 17th over when he dismissed Raza with one that straightened from around the wicket, ending a lone-handed assault.
Chasing 154, South Africa stumbled early. Raza struck again, removing Quinton de Kock for a duck and then bowling captain Aiden Markram with a sharp carrom ball as the Proteas slipped to 14 for 2.
But composed contributions from the middle order, including 42 from Dewald Brevis and 31 from Ryan Rickelton, steadied the innings. South Africa eventually reached 154 for 5 to seal victory.
The win sends Markram’s side to Kolkata for a semi-final clash with New Zealand, carrying momentum — and an unbeaten record — into the knockouts.