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In a high-scoring Group D encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat New Zealand by seven wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium. After restricting the Black Caps to 175/7, the Proteas chased down the target in just 17.1 overs, riding on a scintillating knock from skipper Aiden Markram. Marco Jansen’s four-wicket haul earlier in the evening laid the perfect foundation for the clinical chase.
Mark Chapman anchors as New Zealand post competitive total
Put into bat after South Africa opted to bowl first, New Zealand began with intent. Finn Allen injected early momentum with a quickfire 31 off 17 balls, peppering the boundary with four fours and two sixes. Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra chipped in with brisk cameos, but the innings lost steam when Glenn Phillips fell cheaply.
Mark Chapman steadied the innings with a fluent 48 off 26 deliveries, striking six fours and two sixes. He found useful support from Daryl Mitchell, who compiled a composed 32 off 24 balls. Just when New Zealand looked set for a total beyond 185, Jansen turned the tide.
The tall left-arm seamer struck at crucial intervals, dismissing well-set batters and breaking partnerships. He finished with impressive figures of 4 for 40 in his four overs. Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi chipped in with a wicket each, ensuring the Black Caps were restricted to 175/7 — competitive, but not intimidating on a good batting surface.
Aiden Markram leads from the front in emphatic chase
South Africa’s response was authoritative from the outset. Quinton de Kock set the tone with a brisk 20 off 14 balls, while Ryan Rickelton added further impetus with a lively 21 off just 11 deliveries. The early fireworks allowed Markram to build his innings with confidence.
Markram delivered one of the finest knocks of the tournament so far, hammering 86 off 44 balls. His innings was a blend of timing and power, featuring eight boundaries and four towering sixes. He dismantled the New Zealand attack with calculated aggression, ensuring the required rate never spiraled out of control.
Dewald Brevis and David Miller provided calm support in the middle overs, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. By the time Markram departed, the result was virtually sealed. Miller’s unbeaten 24 ensured South Africa crossed the finish line comfortably with 17 balls to spare.
The Kiwi bowling unit found it difficult to contain the flow of runs. Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner were economical in patches but failed to pick up wickets at key moments. Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, and Rachin Ravindra managed a wicket apiece, but Jacob Duffy endured a tough outing, conceding 50 runs in his three overs. The lack of sustained pressure allowed South Africa’s batters to dominate the chase, particularly during the powerplay and middle overs.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Marco Jansen bags Player of the Match award 💯
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨 storm to an emphatic 7-wicket victory, cruising to the top of Group D! 🇿🇦🔥
An absolutely clinical performance tonight, led superbly by the captain as the chase was wrapped up in style. 💪🏏
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
This is such gorgeous batting from Aiden Markram. Taking an attack apart, but surgically rather than bluntly.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Aiden Markram is always such a pleasure to wtach. He didn’t swing hard. He stays balance and just time the ball perfectly. No better sight in the world than watch him bat in full flow.
Beautiful carnage full of class and controle!
— 𝘚. 𝘏𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘳 (@Hashir_63)
Fastest Hundred in ODI World Cup for South Africa – Aiden Markram.
Fastest Fifty in T20 World Cup for South Africa – Aiden Markram.
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh)
SOUTH AFRICA BECOMES THE FIRST TEAM TO QUALIFY INTO SUPER 8 IN T20 WC 2026 🚨
— Channi Pabla (@_pablax_)
A stunning knock from Aiden Markram powers South Africa to a thumping win over New Zealand 💪
📝: …
— Mahesh (@zurange_mahesh)
South Africa with a dominant win. New Zealand despite the loss too are sitting pretty in this group.
— U s m a n K h a n (@DrUsmanKhanMD)
That was a punishment from statement win, that finish from Miller was vicious
— Uppity African (@SerojaneLennox)
Marco Jansen's efficient display helped South Africa to a comprehensive win in Ahmedabad 👊
He's the POTM 🥇
— ICC (@ICC)
POTM Marco Jansen LFGGG
— Marco Jansen's wife (@retired_yearner)
Aiden Markram's unbeaten 86 off 44 balls led South Africa to a comfortable victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, securing their spot in the Super Eight round. Marco Jansen's 4-40 also earned him Player of the Match.
Markram's aggressive innings and the team's overall…
— Gully Point (@gullypoint_)
Though NZ lost, one positive from today was PBKS boy Marco Jansen getting POTM
Currently he's the most in-form Punjab player going into this IPL and has really upgraded his T20 bowling since the 2024 WT20
— SIVY 🇮🇳 (@Sivy_Raina3)
