uae vs south africa: Proteas cruise to comfortable win in final group game
South Africa wrapped up their Group D campaign with a routine six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in Delhi, chasing down 123 with 40 balls to spare. The match served as a final tune-up before the Super 8s, with the Proteas making several changes to a side already guaranteed to progress.
UAE post a modest total as Sharafu anchors innings
The UAE, already eliminated from progression, put together a fighting 122 for 6 in their 20 overs. Openers gave the innings a steady start—Aryansh Sharma contributing 13 and captain Muhammad Waseem adding 22—before South African spinners and seamers struck to halt momentum. Alishan Sharafu top-scored with a measured 45 off 38 balls, carrying much of the innings as wickets fell around him. His dismissal, five runs short of a second half-century in the tournament, left the UAE unable to accelerate late; they managed just 20 runs across the final four overs.
Corbin Bosch was the standout with the ball for South Africa, finishing with figures of 3 for 12, while George Linde chipped in with an important breakthrough. The UAE’s bowling attack offered a few testing overs but ultimately could not produce the breakthroughs needed to defend a sub-125 target.
Proteas chase powered by quick starts and depth
With qualification already secured, South Africa rested several frontline players and elected to field after winning the toss. The visitors faced a brief weather interruption during the innings break as covers were brought on, but the delay did little to disrupt an emphatic chase.
Captain Aiden Markram set the tone with an explosive start, cracking an 11-ball 28 that put the chase well on track. Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis consolidated and pushed the scoring along—Rickelton contributing a brisk 30 and Brevis top-scoring for the Proteas with 36 off 25 deliveries. The target of 123 was reached inside 13. 2 overs, leaving South Africa with a comfortable margin and ample time to fine-tune combinations ahead of the Super 8s.
The UAE’s bowlers, led by Arfan with figures of 1 for 16, showed fight but were unable to maintain sustained pressure as the Proteas rotated the strike and capitalised on loose deliveries. The victory completed a perfect group campaign for South Africa, who finished with four wins from four matches.
What the result means and what comes next
The win keeps South Africa’s momentum intact as they move into the Super 8s, having demonstrated both batting depth and bowling variety even while resting key players. For the UAE, the performance contained encouraging individual contributions but exposed limitations in converting starts into a challenging total against top-tier opposition. Their sole win in the tournament came earlier against Canada.
Beyond this specific match, South Africa will take confidence from quick starts at the top and some effective finishing from the middle order. With the Super 8s on the horizon, the coaching staff can consider reintegrating rested players and finalising their preferred XI on the back of a composed, low-risk chase that highlighted their ability to close out games efficiently.
