Zimbabwe Vs South Africa: Proteas march into semi-final after five-wicket win
In the final Super 8 match, zimbabwe vs south africa ended with South Africa chasing down 153 and sealing a five-wicket victory that guarantees them top spot and a semi-final meeting with New Zealand.
How the chase finished
South Africa reached 154-5 in 17. 5 overs to complete the win. Dewald Brevis hit 42 off 18 balls with four sixes, and Tristan Stubbs finished 21 not out off 24 to anchor the tail. George Linde, brought into the side to rest Keshav Maharaj, struck a crucial 30 not out off 21 batting at No. 7 and earlier returned figures of 1-22 in three overs.
Zimbabwe Vs South Africa: Raza’s all-round night
Zimbabwe posted 153-7 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat. Skipper Sikandar Raza scored 73 off 43 balls and also produced bowling figures of 3-29; his all-round effort earned him the player-of-the-match award. Kwena Maphaka took 2-21 while helping remove Raza late, and Clive Madande’s 26 not out pushed Zimbabwe past 150.
Key phases that shaped the match
Zimbabwe’s innings recovered from an early wobble: the top order had left them 28-2 in 4. 3 overs before Raza put on 38 off 23 with Dion Myers. Raza reached a fifty off 29 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch (2-40) struck in the middle overs to reduce Zimbabwe to 87-5, and a late stand with Madande nudged the total to a defendable 153-7.
Turning points in South Africa’s innings
South Africa also began shakily: Raza’s off-spin removed Aiden Markram for four and Quinton de Kock for a two-ball duck. A vital fourth-wicket stand — 50 off 25 balls between Dewald Brevis and David Miller — swung control back to the Proteas. A half-tracker from Blessing Muzarabani forced Tristan Stubbs to pull for a couple at the finish, and a final quick exchange of running between Linde and Stubbs sealed the chase.
What people said and what it means
Ryan Campbell, a former Australia wicketkeeper, praised South Africa, saying they are "going to be hard to stop, " noting the group's belief and the rise of younger players. Coverage pointers from the match included a full report by Elizabeth Botcherby and live ball-by-ball coverage of the upcoming India vs West Indies contest.
South Africa’s win completes an unbeaten Super 8 run: the Proteas have now won all three Super 8 games, defeating India, West Indies and Zimbabwe. The 2024 runners-up top their group and move into the semi-finals, while Zimbabwe are eliminated after three losses in this round of the tournament and make their first appearance in round two at a T20 World Cup.
Elsewhere in the tournament, England and New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals from Group 2, while Pakistan and co-hosts Sri Lanka were knocked out.
South Africa will next face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
