Sabbir Hossain :
South Africa posted a massive eight-wicket victory over West Indies in their second Group-1 match of the ICC T20 World Cup at Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
Chasing West Indies’ total of 143 for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs, South Africa romped home making 144 for the loss of two wickets when they had 10 balls to spare.
South Africa had a poor start as opener Temba Bahuma (2) was run out by Andre Russell when South Africa’s score was just four.
After Bahuma’s dismissal, Reeza Hendricks and Rasssie van der Dussen contributed together 57 runs for the second wicket partnership before Hendricks was caught by Shimron Hetmyer off Akeal Hosein when the Caribbean’s total was 61 for the loss of two wickets.
Hendricks made 39 from 30 balls featuring four fours and a sixer.
After Reeza’s departure, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram guided their team to reach the winning spot contributing together 83 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership.
Markram remained unbeaten with 51. He struck four sixes and two fours in his 26-ball knock.
Dussen remained unbeaten with 43. He hit three fours in his 51-ball innings.
Akeal Hosein took one wicket for 27 runs.
West Indies made a remarkable start with openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis put on together 73 runs in the opening stand before Evin’s was caught at the deep midwicket by Kagiso Rabada off Keshav Maharaj.
Lewis top-scored with 56 runs. He hit six sixes and three fours in his 35-ball innings.
After Evin’s departure, Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard built another notable partnership. They added together 32 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Gayle (12) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen off Dwaine Pretorius when the Caribbean’s total was 121 for the loss of four wickets.
After dismissal of Gayle, West Indies’ batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Pretorius grabbed three wickets at the cost of 17 runs, while Maharaj bagged two wickets instead of 24 runs.
Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada took one wicket each for 14 and 27 runs respectively.
