New Delhi: South Africa finished the group stage unbeaten with four straight wins as they defeated United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.
Proteas easily chased down UAE’s target of 123 runs in 13.2 overs with the loss of just 4 wickets.
They got off to a brilliant start with captain Aidan Markram hitting fours to put early pressure on the UAE bowlers.
However, his fiery 11-ball 28 came to an end when off-spinner Haider Ali clean bowled him, and the 32-run opening partnership ended.
Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickeldon combined to score crucial runs as the team’s total crossed the 50-run mark in the sixth over.
The Proteas lost their second wicket in the final over of the powerplay when Muhammad Jawadullah dismissed Quinton de Kock for 14 runs off 16 balls, including 3 fours, to leave at 56-2 in 5.4 overs.
Dewalt Brevis went into bat quickly and eased the pressure with Rickelton as the pair forged a crucial third-wicket partnership to take the team’s total past 100 in the 11th over.
However, Muhammad Farooq ended the partnership with a 16-ball 30 including 3 fours and 2 sixes to take the crucial wicket of Ryan Rickeldon who left the side at 105-3 in 10.4 overs.
UAE showed no mercy, dismissing South Africa’s fourth batsman, Previs falling to Mohammad Arfan after a 25-ball 36 that included a four and three sixes.
South Africa sealed the game with an unbeaten six from Tristan Stubbs and three from Jason Smith.
Batting first, UAE got off to a promising start as openers Aryansh Sharma and skipper Mohammad Wasim scored back-to-back runs.
The duo shared a 38-run opening partnership before Wasim snared George Linde for 22 off 12 balls, including 4 fours.
In the very next over, Aryansh Sharma got out cheaply for 13 off 17 balls with a four and a six, as UAE lost their second wicket.
The team was reduced to 42-2 in 5.2 overs. Bosh struck again, dismissing Sohaib Khan for 6 off 11 balls before Syed Haider was sent back by Anrich Nordje for 6 off 15 balls as UAE were 82-4 in 13.4 overs.
Alishan Sharapu fought hard to stabilize the innings with a 38-ball 45 with 5 fours and a six. However, his efforts failed to set up a truly competitive amount.
Bosh continued his fine form, dismissing Muhammad Urban for 11 off 18 balls to claim his third wicket. Dhruv Parashar and Muhammad Farooq remained unbeaten with 5 and one run respectively.
For South Africa, Corbin Bosh was outstanding with three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs.
Unrich Nordje picked up two wickets, while George Linde took one, as South Africa restricted the UAE to a modest score.