uae vs south africa: South Africa cruise to comfortable win in final group game
South Africa closed out their Group D campaign with a six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in Delhi, chasing 123 in 13. 2 overs to complete a perfect four-from-four record. The result allowed the Proteas to rotate their squad, sharpen combinations and head into the Super 8s with momentum.
UAE innings: Sharafu lone hand as middle order falters
The hosts posted 122 for 6 from their 20 overs, a total that never threatened the visitors but provided a fight when it mattered. Alishan Sharafu top-scored with 45 off 38 balls, showing intent and composure in the middle as wickets fell around him. Openers Aryansh Sharma and captain Muhammad Waseem gave a steady start, but early breakthroughs from Corbin Bosch and George Linde dented the initial platform.
Sharafu’s resistance kept the scoreboard ticking, but a lack of substantial partnerships proved costly. With five runs separating him from what would have been his second half-century of the tournament, Sharafu departed and the tail could only muster 20 runs in the final four overs. Bosch’s tidy figures of 3 for 12 underlined the visitors’ bowling discipline and left the UAE with a modest total to defend.
Proteas response: clinical chase and squad rotation
South Africa, who had already secured qualification for the Super 8s, made four changes to the XI — resting several frontline players — and elected to field first after winning the toss. Rain interrupted the interval and covers delayed the restart of the chase, but when play resumed the Proteas were swift to assert control.
Captain Aiden Markram set the tone with an explosive 11-ball 28 that handed the chase an aggressive beginning. Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis then consolidated, scoring 30 and 36 respectively, and steering the side to the target inside 14 overs. The visitors finished on 123 for 4 in 13. 2 overs, leaving 40 balls unused and avoiding any late drama.
With four wins from four in the group, the team management’s rotation policy paid off: the altered lineup delivered both bowling bite early on and batting firepower when required. The smooth chase offered an opportunity to sharpen finishing combinations and assess bench strength ahead of tougher assignments in the Super 8s.
Implications and outlook: momentum, conditions and team management
Beyond the convincing scoreboard margin, the match provided a useful rehearsal for South Africa. The brief rain interruption mirrored the kind of disruptions teams may face later in the tournament, testing adaptability under changing conditions. The Proteas’ ability to close out the game quickly reduces workload on key players and gives management flexibility to manage workloads in the coming fixtures.
For the UAE, the match capped a mixed group campaign. Their solitary victory came against Canada, and while there were encouraging individual performances, the side will need deeper batting contributions and sustained partnerships to compete with the tournament heavyweights. Sharafu’s form will be a key positive to build on as they prepare for future fixtures.
South Africa arrive at the Super 8s with a clean group record and a clear set of takeaways: bowling discipline up front, the capacity for aggressive small-ball batting and bench players able to step in without a loss of intensity. The Proteas’ final group performance served its purpose — a confident tune-up ahead of the tournament’s next stage.
