Raza’s Masterclass Lifts Zimbabwe to 153 Against South Africa in World Cup Super Eights

New Delhi, March 1: Captain Sikandar Raza produced a scintillating display of power and precision to propel Zimbabwe to a competitive 153 for 7 against South Africa in their 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

On a surface offering a hint of grass but rewarding clean strokeplay, Raza enthralled a crowd of nearly 17,500 with a commanding 73 off 43 deliveries. Batting through the heart of the innings, the Zimbabwe skipper showcased sublime timing and placement, striking 12 of his side’s 13 boundaries between overs five and 17. His knock not only anchored the innings but also injected momentum whenever wickets threatened to stall progress.

Support, however, was at a premium. Wicketkeeper Clive Madande provided the only notable assistance with an unbeaten 26 off 20 balls, ensuring Zimbabwe crossed the 150-run mark. The rest of the batting line-up found scoring difficult against a disciplined South African attack, even though the Proteas opted to rest senior names Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, and Marco Jansen ahead of the semi-finals.

The fringe bowlers seized their opportunity. Teenage left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka stood out with impressive figures of 2 for 21, while Corbin Bosch chipped in with 2 for 40, keeping Zimbabwe under constant pressure.

Electing to bat first, Zimbabwe’s innings began in curious fashion as opener Tadiwanashe Marumani attempted a one-handed reverse sweep off George Linde on the very first ball. Though the audacious stroke amused spectators, Marumani’s stay was brief as he soon lost his leg stump trying to force Maphaka across the line.

The in-form Brian Bennett briefly lifted the tempo with elegant timing, whipping and pulling boundaries off Linde and Lungi Ngidi. His promising knock ended when a sharp 145.8 kph delivery from Anrich Nortje induced a miscued loft to mid-off.

With Dion Myers under examination from Maphaka, Raza wasted no time in asserting himself. A streaky edge for four off Bosch signalled intent, followed by authoritative pulls and drives as Zimbabwe reached 45 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Raza then took on Nortje and skipper Aiden Markram, dispatching both pace and spin with equal disdain.

Wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Myers top-edged Linde to mid-wicket, Ryan Burl was trapped lbw by Ngidi’s slower ball, and Bosch uprooted Tony Munyonga with a scrambled-seam delivery. Unfazed, Raza marched on, reaching his fifty in just 29 balls with a single through square leg.

The onslaught intensified as Raza drilled Nortje and Ngidi through extra cover and repeatedly found the fence off Bosch. The highlight came when he pulled Maphaka over mid-wicket for a towering six, sending the crowd into raptures. Madande joined the act with a crisp sweep for four, but Raza’s superb innings ended when a cutter from Maphaka caught him by surprise, the leading edge settling in the cover fielder’s hands.

At that stage, Zimbabwe’s hopes of a 150-plus total looked uncertain. Madande’s late flourish, including a drive off Nortje, and Brad Evans lofting Ngidi for six ensured the total crossed the psychological barrier, even though Bosch finished strongly with a yorker to end Evans’ stay.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 153/7 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 73, Clive Madande 26 not out) vs South Africa (Kwena Maphaka 2-21, Corbin Bosch 2-40).