Wednesday, February 18, 2026
 

South Africa sink UAE to cap unblemished group campaign

 



South Africa made four changes yet scarcely missed a beat as they trounced the United Arab Emirates by six wickets in a Group D dead rubber of the Twenty20 World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.

Having already secured their place in the Super Eights with a hat-trick of victories, the 2024 runners-up treated the fixture as a tune-up and rested David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi.

Yet, they hardly broke a sweat as they restricted UAE to a below-par 122-6 after electing to field under an overcast sky.

Dewald Brevis (36) and Ryan Rickelton (30) produced breezy cameos as South Africa reached the target in 13.2 overs, wrapping up their blemish-free group campaign with four wins from four.

“It was great to see the boys that came in and that have been working hard for an opportunity to grab that opportunity with both hands,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said.

“I thought the bowling unit once again was really good in executing plans on that wicket. It gives confidence to us as a group to know that each guy in the 15 is in a good space.”

South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton (R) plays a shot during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. — AFP
South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton (R) plays a shot during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. — AFP

Earlier, UAE opener Aryansh Sharma was on six when South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock spilled a skier but the reprieve proved brief.

Left-arm spinner George Linde struck in his first over, removing Muhammad Waseem for 22 to open the gate and the powerplay tilted further when Corbin Bosch (3-12) bounced out Aryansh.

The seamer returned to land a major blow — prising out the in-form Sohaib Khan — to leave UAE 66-3 at the halfway mark.

Alishan Sharafu (45) was put through concussion protocols after being hit by a Bosch bouncer, which dislodged the neck protector of his helmet.

UAE’s Alishan Sharafu reacts after being hit by the ball during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. — AFP
UAE’s Alishan Sharafu reacts after being hit by the ball during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. — AFP

The batter gamely soldiered on to top-score for his team but UAE could never really break the shackles.

South Africa lost Markram and de Kock in the powerplay but Rickleton and Brevis scored briskly.

Neither could stay put until the end but South Africa’s victory was swift and clinical.



if you want to get more information about this news then click on below link

More Detail