Zimbabwe vs South Africa Highlights, T20 World Cup Super 8: South Africa win by 5 wickets

Semi-final 1 is locked in - Right then, South Africa have stamped their authority in Group 1 of the Super 8s and they will now take on New Zealand in the first semifinal of this Men's T20 World Cup. The Proteas do have a bit of a score to even out against the Kiwis, falling short to them on a few occasions prior in the knockout stages of World Cup competitions, the most famous one being the 2015 ODI World Cup semifinal. Should be a cracking encounter in Kolkata. For now, let's turn our attention to the huge game that is looming large. India go up against West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in a straight shootout for the final spot in the semifinals. The winner goes through and faces England and the loser goes home empty-handed. The game is scheduled to start at 1.30 pm GMT, which is just a few minutes away and India are bowling first. You can simply switch tabs and tune in to our coverage of that game. Cheers!

Looking to play a good brand of cricket - The victorious South African captain, Aiden Markram, reflects on the win, noting the value of securing a victory on a challenging surface. He praises the depth of the squad, highlighting that the players coming into the side stepped up effectively and that the middle order benefited from being tested after the top order failed to contribute significantly. Markram explains that while rotating the lineup ahead of the knockouts is a difficult call, providing game time to the bench is key. Looking ahead, he remains focused on maintaining a high standard, asserting that if the team continues to play a good brand of cricket, the results will naturally follow.

The world will be seeing more of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe, says that Qualifying was a big step and not playing the Qualifiers and sealing a direct place in the next T20 World Cup means a lot. Mentions that as a captain and as a leader, he is proud of the boys and feels that they got better after every game and hopes that they keep improving in the near future. On the ODI World Cup next year, Raza says that for some of them, it looks too far ahead but feels that the culture they have built in the dressing room has given them hope to do bigger and better things and hopes that some of the senior players can stick around for that World Cup. Further adds that the Zimbabwe management has been working behind the scenes to get them those touring opportunities to play a high level of cricket and assures that the world be seeing more and more of Zimbabwe in the near future.

Let's now hear from the two captains...

End of the road for the Chevrons - What a remarkable campaign for Zimbabwe and yet it ends on a disappointing note. They were simply outclassed by their African neighbors in all aspects of the game, maybe not in the catching department, which continues to remain a big area of strength for Zimbabwe. Not much to write home about with the bat for Zimbabwe, as Sikandar Raza nearly made half of their total runs in this game. A handy 26 off 20 balls at the death from Clive Madande pushed the final total beyond 150 runs but they were always about 25-30 runs short. With the ball, they did put up a bit of a fight, led by their charismatic skipper again. His three-wicket haul was the cornerstone of hope Zimbabwe needed to defend a low total but barring him and a couple of good overs from Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans, no one else contributed much and things started to slip away really fast.

Player of the Match - Sikandar Raza earns the award for an exceptional all-round display, anchoring the Chevrons with a defiant 73 off 43 balls before returning a clinical bowling spell of 3 for 29. Reflecting on the campaign, the skipper expresses pride in his team's growth, noting that the lessons learned here are vital for transitioning Zimbabwe from a mid-table side into a top-six or top-seven contender. Raza admits that while he initially believed 170 was the par score on a sticky surface and had they gotten it, things might have been different at the end. Raza strategically opted to open the bowling himself, sensing that the deck's tackiness would allow him to set a tone that the seamers could exploit later in the middle overs.

Testing the bench strength - South Africa made three changes to their Playing XI, with three of their frontline bowlers being given a rest. The likes of Anrich Nortje, George Linde and Kwena Maphaka got a chance to make a mark and all three of them did a pretty good job, especially Linde, who contributed heavily with the bat as well. After being asked to bowl first, the Proteas managed to pick up multiple wickets in a short space of time in different phases of the game and never allowed Zimbabwe to get into 5th gear. Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch picked up a couple of eickets each, but the former was highly economical as well. With the bat, their openers flopped but the middle order flexed its muscle, albeit for not a long time. Dewald Brevis did get a very quick 42 off just 18 balls, a crucial knock heading into the semis and batters from number 3 to number 7, all made atleast 21 or more runs, eventually making light work of a meager target.

Undefeated and unbroken - South Africa end the Super Eight stage just as they ended the initial Group Stage - without a single loss to their name and head into the knockouts as favorites to win it all. Zimbabwe end their memorable campaign with three straight losses but they head back home with their heads held high.

17.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Tristan Stubbs, South Africa remain undefeated as they win this by 5 wickets. Slower one, short and on off, Tristan Stubbs drags this across with a pull through mid-wicket and takes a couple to wrap this contest in favor of the Proteas.

17.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Tristan Stubbs, NO BALL! Pitched up, around off, Tristan Stubbs drives this straight to Sikandar Raza at mid off for a dot. The batters looks for a run but this is timed a bit too well by Stubbs. Hang on, the siren goes around signaling a no ball. Free Hit up next. 

17.4: Blessing Muzarabani to George Linde, Linde was eyeing a boundary here. On a length wide of off, George Linde stays leg side and looks to loft this over covers but gets it edged off the inside half of the blade and the ball goes towards short fine leg for a single. 50 of the stand comes up between these two, in 42 balls.

17.3: Blessing Muzarabani to Tristan Stubbs, Slower one, short and wide of off, Tristan Stubbs cuts this to deep point for another strike rotation. The 150 is up for the Proteas.

17.2: Blessing Muzarabani to George Linde, Good length around off, George Linde cuts this well towards point but a good effort from Wellington Masakadza as he gets a good bit of hand to it and takes the sting out of it, keeps it down to one.

17.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Tristan Stubbs, Blessing Muzarabani bends his back and hits the deck hard and bowls it around the off stump. Tristan Stubbs punches this off his back foot to sweeper cover for a single. 

16.6: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, Dragged length, wide outside off, slapped off the back foot to deep point for a single.

16.5: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, Bowled from the front of the hand, full and outside off, driven with an angled bat towards backward point.

16.5: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, WIDE. Loopy delivery, floated up wide outside off stump and just beyond the tramline as well. Tristan Stubbs leaves it alone for a wide.

16.4: Ryan Burl to George Linde, Flat and full, just outside off, Linde stays leg side of the ball and hits it down to long off for a run.

16.3: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, Length ball, angled into the pads, Stubbs turns it through mid-wicket for one more.

16.2: Ryan Burl to George Linde, Fired in now, at the toes, Linde flicks it through square leg for a single.

16.1: Ryan Burl to George Linde, FOUR! The finishing line is in sight now for the Proteas. Full and down the leg side, Linde sits down and sweeps it aerially over the short fine leg region and picks up a boundary.

15.6: Brian Bennett to George Linde, Fired on middle and off, George Linde rocks back and smashes this to wide long on for a single.

15.5: Brian Bennett to Tristan Stubbs, Tossed up, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs rolls this down to long on for a run. 17 needed off the last 25 balls.

15.4: Brian Bennett to George Linde, Pushed through on the pads, George Linde smashes this to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

15.3: Brian Bennett to George Linde, FOUR! This is poor from Brian Bennett. Fired onto the pads, a bit too much leg sidish from Brian Bennett. George Linde goes deep inside the crease and hits this wide to the right of the fielder at short fine leg for a boundary.

15.2: Brian Bennett to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller around off, Tristan Stubbs tucks this through mid-wicket and rotates the strike again. 

15.1: Brian Bennett to George Linde, Brian Bennett comes around the stumps, tosses this up on off. George Linde pushes this through covers for a single.

14.6: Ryan Burl to George Linde, Quicker one, around the pads, George Linde rises with the bounce and chips this to deep mid-wicket's right for a single. 

14.5: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, A tad short and on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs punches this through mid on and rotates the strike.

14.4: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, Tossed up, on off, Tristan Stubbs hits this well but straight to the fielder.

14.3: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, A genuine leggie from Ryan Burl, tossed up around off, turning away from the right-hander. Tristan Stubbs looks to drive this one through covers but misses out and the ball beats his outside edge.

14.2: Ryan Burl to Tristan Stubbs, Quicker one, full and on off, Tristan Stubbs pushes this to covers for no run.

14.1: Ryan Burl to George Linde, Burl starts with a slider on middle and leg, George Linde rocks back and nudges this through mid-wicket for a single. 

DRINKS! South Africa seem to have just done enough here. 28 more needed off 36 balls and Corbin Bosch still to come. If Zimbabwe are to win, they need a couple of breakthroughs quickly after the break otherwise a couple of more boundaries here and there, and it will be too late. Sikandar Raza is bowled out and the likes of Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans might have to step up here as the others haven't managed to make an impact. Both have an over left. For the Proteas, Tristan Stubbs will have to take the responsibility and stay on till the end to ensure a victory. Also, Ryan Burl comes into the attack for the first time in this game.

13.6: Brad Evans to Tristan Stubbs, Hard length, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and tucks this gently through the mid-wicket region. He places this well in the gap and the batters take two.

13.5: Brad Evans to Tristan Stubbs, Back of a length around middle and off, Tristan Stubbs hits this in the gap through mid-wicket and scampers back for two.

13.4: Brad Evans to George Linde, Hard length around off, George Linde cuts this to the right of backward point and a good effort by the fielder to his right keeps it down to just one run.

13.3: Brad Evans to George Linde, An appeal for caught behind from Tadiwanashe Marumani and even Brad Evans joins him this time. Brad Evans comes around the stumps and bowls it short and on off, George Linde gets up on his toes and looks to play this late and guide this through short third. Linde misses out on any sort of connection with the bat but both the bowler and the keeper heard something and appealed for it but the umpire turns it down. Raza sends this upstairs. Nothing on the UltraEdge as the ball passes the bat and Zimbabwe loses a review.

13.2: Brad Evans to Tristan Stubbs, Pitched up, on off, Tristan Stubbs leans ahead and pushes this through mid off for a single. 

13.1: Brad Evans to Tristan Stubbs, Bowled into the pitch and over off, stays a bit low, Tristan Stubbs defends it down the pitch.

Just 34 needed off 42 balls but Zimbabwe will be more concerned with the wickets. With that said, Brad Evans comes back into the attack.

12.6: Wellington Masakadza to George Linde, Pushed through on off, George Linde keeps it out off his back foot. A tidy over from Wellington Masakadza. 

12.5: Wellington Masakadza to George Linde, Tossed up, around middle and leg, George Linde goes down on a knee and slogs this towards the left of wide long on for a couple of runs to close the over.

12.5: Wellington Masakadza to George Linde, WIDE! Full and wide down the leg. George Linde leaves it. Wided.

12.4: Wellington Masakadza to Tristan Stubbs, Tossed up, on off, Tristan Stubbs drives this down to long off and rotates the strike.

12.3: Wellington Masakadza to George Linde, Full and on off, George Linde rolls this down to long on for a single. 

12.2: Wellington Masakadza to George Linde, Full and on the pads, George Linde tucks this to short fine leg for no run.

12.1: Wellington Masakadza to Tristan Stubbs, Quicker and flatter around off, Tristan Stubbs punches this through mid off and takes a single.

11.6: Graeme Cremer to Tristan Stubbs, Good half stop from the skipper. Short and wide outside off, there to be hit. Tristan Stubbs slaps it hard but Sikandar Raza at covers makes a tumbling stop to his left and parries it behind. Just a single, so three runs saved for Zimbabwe.

11.5: Graeme Cremer to George Linde, Flatter delivery on leg, tucked away through mid-wicket for a single.

11.4: Graeme Cremer to George Linde, SIX! Oh, that's a poor delivery, all the pressure is released now. Juicy full toss on middle, George Linde gets under it and gets a hold of the heave, smacking it wide of long on for a six.

11.3: Graeme Cremer to Tristan Stubbs, Shorter in length, Stubbs works it through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

11.2: Graeme Cremer to George Linde, Flatter one around off, pushed through, Linde backs away and hits it through point for one more.

11.1: Graeme Cremer to Tristan Stubbs, Dragged length on off, turning away and stays a shade low as well. Stubbs pushes it through the gap at covers and picks up a single.

10.6: Sikandar Raza to Tristan Stubbs, Flatter one, on a good length, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and punches it down to long on for one.

10.5: Sikandar Raza to George Linde, Dragged length on middle and leg, tucked away past square leg for a single.

It's getting interesting now. The well-settled Brevis is gone, which means two new batters will be at the crease. George Linde is in at number 7.

10.4: Sikandar Raza to Dewald Brevis, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Zimbabwe have belief once again. A round-arm delivery from Sikandar Raza, floated up around middle. Dewald Brevis sits down and looks to slog sweep but one hand comes off the handle as he connects with the ball and ends up skying it high over mid on. Ryan Burl runs in from long on and slides forward to take a brilliant catch. Brevis' quickfire knock comes to an end and Sikandar Raza punches the air in delight. Actually, replays show that it was the carrom ball from Raza. South Africa are 101/5, still needing 53 more from 56.

10.3: Sikandar Raza to Tristan Stubbs, A touch short, on the leg stump, Stubbs tucks it away to deep square leg for a single.

10.2: Sikandar Raza to Dewald Brevis, Fired onto the pads, on a length, Brevis nudges it to deep square leg's left for a run. 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

10.1: Sikandar Raza to Dewald Brevis, SIX! Superb stroke! Full ball fired in at middle from over the wicket at 91.6 kph. Dewald gets right under it and, with a clean vertical bat swing, launches it 76 metres over the long off boundary.

Tristan Stubbs walks out next to bat for South Africa.

9.6: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, a soft dismissal and David Miller will be disappointed here. Back of a length, angled across off, Miller stays back and just lets the ball come on, looking to glide it away. However, he gets it right off the face of the blade and ends up pushing it straight into the hands of the short third fielder. Dion Myers makes no mistake and Miller has to depart.

9.5: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, Change of pace from Muzarabani. Slower length ball, slanted across off, Miller looks to drive but misses.

9.4: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, FOUR! Under a-run-a-ball required now for South Africa. A touch full and outside off, not overpitched, David Miller gets a half stride out and just caresses it past extra cover for a boundary and holds the pose as well. The 50-run stand is also up between these two, off just 23 balls.

9.3: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, Good length on off, Miller looks to run it down to deep third but ends up chopping down towards the gully region.

9.2: Blessing Muzarabani to Dewald Brevis, Hard length outside off, Brevis gets on his toes and punches it down through covers for a run.

9.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Dewald Brevis, SIX! It's raining sixes in Delhi! Back of a length and over middle, Muzarabani extracts extra bounce due to his height. However, Dewald Brevis is waiting for it and swivels onto the back foot, whacking the pull over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

8.6: Wellington Masakadza to David Miller, SIX! Muscled away for another maximum, 17 runs off Masakadza's first over. Shorter this time, on leg again, David Miller stays deep in the crease and hoicks it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. Just 72 needed now off 66 balls.

8.5: Wellington Masakadza to David Miller, FOUR! Swung away to the fence. On the pads, Miller takes the front leg out and heaves it away just behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

8.4: Wellington Masakadza to David Miller, Flat again, on a dragged length, Miller jams it out to covers.

8.3: Wellington Masakadza to David Miller, Flatter delivery, pitches around leg stump and Miller misses the backfoot-pull, getting hit on the pads. A stifled appeal from the keeper and nothing more.

8.2: Wellington Masakadza to David Miller, SIX! Up, up and away! Full ball on leg, right in the slot and also the swinging arc. David Miller clears the front leg and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

8.1: Wellington Masakadza to Dewald Brevis, Good length, angled into middle and leg, Brevis backs away and slaps it hard to deep cover for a single.

7.6: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, BEATEN! Half a shout for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. Zimbabwe do not review it either. Regardless, a pearler from Muzarabani as this is bashed hard on a length, in the channel of off. It lands, nips away. Miller hangs his bat loosely away from the body to block and is beaten on the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

7.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Dewald Brevis, Slower ball, on a good length, on off, Brevis presses back and dinks it through mid-wicket for a single.

7.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Dewald Brevis, FOUR! A lovely-looking shot! Slightly fuller and outside the off stump. Dewald Brevis gets on the front foot, gets his head right on top of the ball and creams it past the cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

7.3: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, A bit too full, on the leg stump. David Miller flicks it to the left of the bowler. Blessing Muzarabani extends his wingspan, but still, the ball stays out of his reach and rolls down to long on for a single.

7.2: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, Attacks the stumps with a skiddy ball, on a good length. Miller waits back and dabs it in front of backward point.

7.1: Blessing Muzarabani to David Miller, Full, straight, on leg, Miller flicks it to mid-wicket.

Blessing Muzarabani (1-0-8-0) comes back into the attack to replace Brad Evans. 

6.6: Graeme Cremer to Dewald Brevis, SIX! 'Catch it' is the shout, but it will be caught in the crowd! Very full from Graeme, on off and middle. Dewald Brevis gets right underneath it by moving his front leg away and clubs it over the long off fence for a six. 16 runs from the over. 29 from the last 2 for South Africa.

6.5: Graeme Cremer to Dewald Brevis, Short, but does not rise enough, on off. Dewald Brevis presses back and punches it to the vacant deep cover region. The deep point fielder covers a lot of ground and slides to cut it off in the outfield. Two taken.

6.4: Graeme Cremer to David Miller, Spins in a touch, full and on off, David Miller tries to push it to the off side, but inside edges it into the square leg region for a single.

6.3: Graeme Cremer to David Miller, Nicely tossed up, on the stumps, watchfully blocked by Miller.

6.2: Graeme Cremer to Dewald Brevis, Quicker and flatter, on leg, Dewald whips it to deep square leg for a single. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA!

6.1: Graeme Cremer to Dewald Brevis, SIX! That's a huge hit! It sounded so nice off the bat. 50th T20I six for Brevis, informs Shaun Pollock on air. Overpitched on the leg stump. Dewald Brevis clears the front leg to give himself some space and tonks it high and handsome over long on for a biggie.

5.6: Brad Evans to David Miller, On a back of a length, outside off, Miller lets it pass. South Africa end their Powerplay on 43/3.

DRINKS! A fascinating passage of play and Zimbabwe are firmly in the game right now. South Africa still have plenty of batting to come but they will have to apply themselves better in the phase after the Powerplay. A couple of more wickets before the halfway mark and Zimbabwe will feel they have a good chance of winning. With that said, David Miller walks out to bat now.

5.5: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! A superman effort from Burl in the deep. A well-directed short ball dug into the pitch, and rising at shoulder height of the batter. Ryan Rickelton shapes up to pull it behind deep square leg, but the ball spits up a bit from the pitch and takes the top edge. It flies high, but not far enough in the deep mid-wicket region. Ryan Burl kind of misjudges the trajectory but adjusts himself at the very last second as he dives to his right and completes the catch. He almost misjudges it but manages to cling on.

5.4: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, Slammed really hard into the pitch, outside off. Ryan Rickelton lines up for a pull shot, but misses to connect. Tadiwanashe Marumani appeals for caught behind and he is really interested, but Brad Evans turns back and walks to his bowling mark. Ryan Burl is the acting captain as Sikandar Raza is off the field for a moment and they do no go upstairs.

5.3: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, Back of a length, skidding through and nipping back in. Ryan Rickelton tries to square cut it through point, but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball stays low.

5.3: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, WIDE! Spills it far outside off, full in length, Rickelton ignores as it breaches the tramline.

5.2: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, SIX! Change of pace, but the result is the same! Slower and fuller by Evans, on off. Ryan Rickelton picks the variation early, gets in a good position before he whips it cleanly behind deep mid-wicket for another six.

5.1: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, SIX! Absolutely belted! Evans serves it fuller and on the leg stump line. Ryan Rickelton clears the front leg and smokes it over cow corner. Not exactly off the middle of the bat, but enough on it to clear the fence for half a dozen runs.

4.6: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Good length, around off and middle, and this is gently knocked down to long on for a single.

4.5: Sikandar Raza to Dewald Brevis, The carrom ball, on a length, on off, Brevis works it through mid-wicket for a single.

4.4: Sikandar Raza to Dewald Brevis, A touch short, outside off, punched off the back foot to cover.

4.3: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, In-angler on a fuller length, on leg. Rickelton hangs back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

4.2: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, SIX! That has gone many a mile! Slightly overpitched, on leg, Ryan Rickelton makes room by staying leg side and golfs it downtown for a huge six.

4.1: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Skiddy delivery from around the stump, goes straight with the arm. Ryan Rickelton backs away and pats it back to the bowler.

3.6: Brad Evans to Dewald Brevis, Hard length on top of off, Dewald Brevis defends this off his back foot.

3.5: Brad Evans to Dewald Brevis, Good length on the pads, Dewald Brevis tucks this through the right of mid-wicket and hustles back for two.

3.4: Brad Evans to Dewald Brevis, On a length around off, Dewald Brevis pushes this to extra cover.

3.3: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, Good length on off, Ryan pushes this gently to mid off and takes a quick single.

Thankfully, Rickelton smiles and is finally good to continue. Will we see another bumper here?

3.2: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, RYAN IS ROCKED! A bumper, around the right shoulder of Ryan Rickelton from Brad at full throtle and Ryan goes for the hook but misses. Gets thumped onto the front of his helmet. The ball deflects to square leg but Ryan Rickelton looks rattled as he takes his helmet off his head. The South African team physio has rushed in to have a check on the batter. A prolonged check on Ryan adds to the concern for Rickleton's well-being but it is good to see that the batter is still up on his feet and is smiling. After a long check, Ryan is good to continue.

3.1: Brad Evans to Ryan Rickelton, Good length on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton drives this to mid off for a dot.

2.6: Sikandar Raza to Dewald Brevis, FOUR! A boundary from the bat of Brevis to get him off the mark. Quicker and flatter around off, Dewald Brevis rocks back and plays the square cut well. Gets it past backward point and the ball has raced to the fence for four.

Two down early for the Proteas. Dewald Brevis is in at number 4.

Ooooh! That one just didn't rise enough from the pitch as goes almost underground. And Raza's joy knows no bounds.

2.5: Sikandar Raza to Aiden Markram, OUT! TIMBER! The Proteas are put under pressure from Raza's brilliance. Seam up, full and in the line of the stumps, Aiden Markram backs away and looks to punch this through covers but the ball doesn't bounce as much as the batter expected it to and gets cleaned up. The in-form Aiden Markram departs for 4 off 5. 

2.4: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Floated onto the pads, Ryan Rickelton tucks it around square leg for a strike rotation.

2.3: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up, on leg, Ryan Rickelton goes for a flick but gets it edged off the outside to extra cover.

2.2: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Full and on off, Ryan Rickelton backs away and drives this well but straight to wide mid off.

2.1: Sikandar Raza to Aiden Markram, Good length on the pads, Aiden Markram works this away to deep mid-wicket for one.

1.6: Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Rickelton, Hard length on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton pulls this flat to mid-wicket for no run.

1.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Rickelton, SIX! Back of a length on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton plants his front foot away from the line of it and pulls this over the fence towards deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 

1.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Aiden Markram, Short and on middle and off, Aiden Markram gets it away from the inside of his bat to the right of Sikandar Raza at mid on for one.

1.3: Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Rickelton, Good length on middle and off, Ryan goes back and guides this to third man region for a run.

1.2: Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Rickelton, Blessing Muzarabani goes full, and angling it across the batter. Ryan Rickelton takes a baby step out in front and goes after it but gets beaten on the outside.

1.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Rickelton, Hard length on off, Ryan Rickelton keeps it out off his back foot.

Assuming Blessing Muzarabani will take the ball from the other end. Bingo. Here's Zimbabwe's most successful bowler this World Cup into the attack.

0.6: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Tossed up, on middle and off, Ryan Rickelton strides out in front and milks this through mid on for a run to end the over. 

0.5: Sikandar Raza to Aiden Markram, Pushed through on off, Aiden Markram goes back inside the crease and milks this through mid on for another single.

0.4: Sikandar Raza to Ryan Rickelton, Floated onto the pads, Ryan Rickelton flicks this through mid-wicket for a run.

Raza can do nothing wrong today. Provides a massive breakthrough in the very first over. Ryan Rickelton is the next batter in at number 3.

0.3: Sikandar Raza to Quinton de Kock, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Sikandar Raza bowls from around the stumps to Quinton de Kock, darts one just outside off. Quinton de Kock looks to play the late cut off the back foot but slashes under it and outside edges this back to Tadiwanashe Marumani behind the stumps. The ball sticks in his gloves. A duck for Quinton de Kock and Zimbabwe are off to a great start.

0.2: Sikandar Raza to Quinton de Kock, Short and wide of off, Quinton de Kock punches this to short cover for no run.

0.1: Sikandar Raza to Aiden Markram, Fired into the pads from Raza, Aiden Markram rocks back and tucks this through mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

We are back with South Africa's reply with the bat. Raza has his men in a huddle before the Zimbabwean players scatter throughout the park and take their spots on the field. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram are the two South African openers. And oh, Zimbabwe are starting with spin as Sikandar Raza himself takes the responsibility to open the attack. Markram to face. Here we go again!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

South Africa eye for a clean slate - Righto, 154 is the number for the Proteas to keep their winning streak intact in this T20 World Cup. Considering how comfortable they have looked while chasing, and with teams winning four out of five games here in Delhi while hunting targets, the odds appear stacked in their favour. Zimbabwe will need something special with the ball to slow down this South African juggernaut and defend what is competitive, but not quite imposing. A lot will depend on Blessing Muzarabani and Raza himself with the ball to provide breakthroughs. Back in a bit with the run chase. Stay tuned.

Raza, one-man army - South Africa, however, refused to let the game slip. They kept striking at regular intervals, denying Zimbabwe the chance to string together a partnership of note. Every time a stand threatened to form, it was swiftly broken. Amid the turbulence, Raza stood tall, the lone pillar in the innings, with Zimbabwe’s prospects resting heavily on his ability to bat deep. He produced a superb 73 off 43 balls, but the support around him was thin. Once he fell in the 17th over, any hopes of a late surge took a serious hit. Madande chipped in with an unbeaten 26, yet he could not quite find the extra gear required at the death, and Zimbabwe were left without the strong finish they were searching for.

Slippery start, steadying act - Zimbabwe lost Marumani as early as the second over, and with hopes pinned on Bennett, the start needed stability. But this was no batting paradise. The surface had enough life to keep the bowlers interested, with uneven bounce and a hint of movement. Bennett’s dismissal only deepened the trouble, pushing Zimbabwe onto the back foot. At 45/2 at the end of the Powerplay, the responsibility squarely fell on the middle order to rebuild. Sikandar Raza stepped up with a composed yet assertive approach, blending caution with timely aggression to steady the innings. His effort helped Zimbabwe regain some control, reaching 80/3 at the halfway mark

A middling score - 21 runs in the last 2 overs will give Zimbabwe a little bit of momentum as they walk back in the dugout but they will know this is still well short of what they had in mind. Credit to the Proteas for the control they maintained with the ball right through the innings. But, if we take a close look at the first inning scores in Delhi in this World Cup, especially in the day games, the range hasn't exceeded past 150-160. Only once has the 200 mark breached, but that was in the night game.

19.6: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, A couple to end the Zimbabwean innings. Back of a length on middle and off, Clive Madande smashes this through mid on and takes a couple. Zimbabwe post 153 on the board after 20 overs.

19.5: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, FOUR! Yorker again from Corbin on off this time, Clive Madande brings out the reverse ramp and hits this right behind the stumps for four runs. Anrich Nortje puts in a good effort, running to his right from fine leg to cut it off, but fails to do so. 150 comes up for Zimbabwe.

19.4: Corbin Bosch to Wellington Masakadza, Corbin goes for a yorker again but misses and lands a full toss on the pads. Wellington Masakadza tucks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

The next batter is Wellington Masakadza.

19.3: Corbin Bosch to Brad Evans, OUT! TIMBER! Yorker, bang in the line of the sticks. Brad Evans steps across and looks to sweep this behind square on leg but misses. The ball sneaks past the batter and rattles the timber. Zimbabwe are 146/7 as Bosch gets his second wicket.

19.2: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, Good length on middle and leg, Clive Madande flicks this to long on for a run.

19.1: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, Bosch bowls it full and on middle and leg, Clive Madande drills this straight down the ground for a brace as Tristan Stubbs cuts it to his left from long on.

One over to go. Zimbabwe will be targeting 155 runs, but can they get there? It will be Corbin Bosch to bowl the final over of the innings.

18.6: Lungi Ngidi to Clive Madande, Yet another slower one, on middle and off, Clive Madande chips this short of long on for a single.

18.5: Lungi Ngidi to Clive Madande, Low full toss, on off, Clive Madande tucks this through mid-wicket for a couple this time.

18.4: Lungi Ngidi to Brad Evans, Hard length onto the pads, Brad Evans tucks this to short fine leg for a run.

18.3: Lungi Ngidi to Brad Evans, SIX! Brad connects with the bat this time and gets plenty behind it. Another slower one, full and wide of off, Brad Evans leans onto the delivery and lofts this over the fence towards sweeper cover for a biggie.

18.2: Lungi Ngidi to Brad Evans, Good length, wide outside off, Brad Evans swings at it but doesn't connect with the ball once again.

18.1: Lungi Ngidi to Brad Evans, Slower one, full and wide of off, Brad Evans looks to drag this across with a sweep but misses.

18.1: Lungi Ngidi to Brad Evans, NO BALL! Beamer over the waist of the batter and Brad Evans swings at it. Gets it top-edged to short fine leg where the fielder catches it but doesn't celebrate as everyone expects the umpire to call this a no-ball. This is sent upstairs for an official check and the replay shows that the ball is above the waist of Brad when he hits it and it is a no ball.

17.6: Anrich Nortje to Clive Madande, Short and on off, Clive Madande goes for the upper-cut but misses out as the ball goes past him and the keeper collects it.

17.5: Anrich Nortje to Brad Evans, Slower one, short and on off, Brad Evans pulls this through mid-wicket for a single.

17.4: Anrich Nortje to Brad Evans, Back of a length on middle and off. Brad Evans shuffles across and goes for a ramp but does not connect with the ball.

17.3: Anrich Nortje to Clive Madande, Hard length, on middle and leg, Clive Madande tucks this through mid on for a single. 

17.2: Anrich Nortje to Clive Madande, FOUR! Punched in the gap for four from Clive Madande. Good length around off, Clive Madande presses in front and smashes this through the right of extra cover for a boundary.

17.1: Anrich Nortje to Clive Madande, Good length, pace on, wide of off. Clive Madande slashes hard at it but misses out.

16.6: Kwena Maphaka to Brad Evans, Slower one, good length around off. Brad Evans goes for the flick and misses out. The ball hits Brad high on his thigh pad on the left leg.

16.5: Kwena Maphaka to Brad Evans, Wide yorker, outside off, Brad Evans goes for a drive but misses out and gets beaten on the outside.

16.4: Kwena Maphaka to Brad Evans, Back of a length and wide of off, Brad Evans swings at it but misses out.

A true captain's knock comes to an end from Raza. Scored a responsible 73 in the overall team score of 126. That's more than half the runs. Brad Evans is in at number 8. He has displayed the ability to hit a few lusty blows as well. Notably, his 43 off just 21 balls against West Indies. Zimbabwe would hope to get a similar kind of hand from him to get past the 150 mark.

16.3: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, OUT! CAUGHT! Kwena Maphaka changes the angle and comes around the stumps, cramps Raza for room by bowling it on a length and on leg. Sikandar Raza looks to flick this around the mid-wicket region but closes the bat face early and gets a massive leading edge. The ball flies over the inner ring and David Miller at point calls for it and holds onto it. The 39-run partnership is broken and Zimbabwe are 126/6.

16.2: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Raza is putting on a show for the fans of cricket. On a length around middle and off, Sikandar Raza clears his front foot and plants it towards his leg. Slogs this out of the park towards the deep mid-wicket region for a massive six. 

16.1: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, Wide yorker outside off, Sikandar Raza leans back and looks to slice this through backward point but misses out.

This partnership is gaining some steam toward the backend. It is now worth 33 runs, with most of the heavy lifting done by Raza. Kwena Maphaka (3-0-15-1) to bowl out now. He replaces Lungi Ngidi.

15.6: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, Short ball into the surface, pushed wide outside off, Clive Madande walks across for the scoop again but is beaten.

15.5: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, FOUR! That's nicely done. Yorker-length delivery, tails back into the toes, Raza jams it down to the right of mid on for a single. Clive Madande premeditates and shuffles to the off side. Bosch slows it up and bowls it full and at the batter. Madande manages to lap it away wide of Anrich Nortje at short fine leg for a boundary.

15.4: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, A yorker now, on off stump, jammed off the inside edge and just into the leg side for a single.

15.3: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Crunched away by Raza. Full and around off, Sikandar Raza steps out, converts it into a full toss and nails it through square covers for a boundary.

15.2: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, Oh, how has that missed the leg stump? Pitched further up on middle, darts back in, Sikandar Raza throws the kitchen sink in the heave across the line but misses and the ball goes past the leg stump as well.

15.1: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, Good length on middle, angling in, Clive Madande lifts it back over the bowler's head. Tristan Stubbs at long on, tidies up to his left and keeps it down to a single.

Right. Last 5 overs to go. Corbin Bosch (2-0-20-1) is brought back on, replacing Anrich Nortje.

14.6: Lungi Ngidi to Sikandar Raza, Slower one, into the surface and over off, Raza gets inside the line to angle the pull but fails to get it away.

14.5: Lungi Ngidi to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! That's been hammered away. Length ball outside off, Sikandar Raza charges down the pitch, gets his head down and slams it over the cover region for a boundary.

14.4: Lungi Ngidi to Sikandar Raza, Yorker-length delivery, tails back into the toes, Raza jams it down to the right of mid on for a couple of runs.

14.3: Lungi Ngidi to Sikandar Raza, That's perfect from Ngidi. Slower ball, full and lands it just inside the tramline outside the off stump. Raza leaves it in hope of a wide but he won't get the call.

14.2: Lungi Ngidi to Clive Madande, Full and wide outside off, Madande goes on one knee, and angles it down to deep third for a single.

14.1: Lungi Ngidi to Clive Madande, Madande walks down the pitch again and Ngidi bowls the dipping slower delivery outside off. Madande fails to drive it away and the ball sneaks under the bat.

14.1: Lungi Ngidi to Clive Madande, WIDE. Short of a length, pushed a long way outside off, Madande wanders down the track and looks to cut but misses.

DRINKS! A defiant captain’s knock from Sikandar Raza, who stands as the lone warrior for the Chevrons in an otherwise struggling batting unit. To post a competitive total, Raza desperately needs his teammates to anchor the other end and rally the score toward the 150-160 mark, though even that may prove insufficient against the powerhouse opposition. Conversely, South Africa will aim to either dismiss the opposition skipper or strategically starve him off the strike to ensure Zimbabwe is restricted to a sub-150 total. Lungi Ngidi (2-0-10-1) replaces Kwena Maphaka after the hydration break.

13.6: Anrich Nortje to Clive Madande, Hard length outside off, pushed away square through the off side for one.

13.5: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, Very full, angled into the toes, Raza hangs back and backs away a bit, easing it through mid on for a run.

13.4: Anrich Nortje to Clive Madande, Hard length angled into the pads, Clive Madande misses the flick and gets it off the thigh pad, behind square for a leg bye. 100 UP FOR ZIMBABWE!

13.3: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, Banged in a bit short and wide, fast too, Raza slashes it down to deep third and picks up a single.

13.2: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Top shot! Back-of-the-hand slower ball, overpitched on leg stump, Raza backs away, waits well and drills it between cover and mid off for a boundary.

13.1: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, A big swing and a miss! Good length over middle hammered into the deck, Sikandar Raza backs away and looks to clobber it over mid-wicket but misses the ball by a long way.

12.6: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, FIFTY for the Zimbabwe skipper, Sikandar Raza. Off just 29 balls. His first of this T20 World Cup. Slower again, full and on middle, worked away through mid-wicket for a single. This has been a solid knock from Sikandar Raza but needs to dig deep now, and he knows that as well.

12.5: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, Oh, that's nicely bowled. The off cutter from Maphaka, slightly full and on off, this one shoots up after pitching. Sikandar Raza is taken by surprise and gets beaten past the outside edge again.

12.4: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, Beaten! Slower one, on a length and angled across off. Sikandar Raza looks to heave across the line but the ball stays low and beats the bat.

12.3: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Easy pickings. Shortish length on leg, Sikandar Raza tickles it down to fine leg and the ball rolls away into the fence. Raza moves on to 49 now.

12.2: Kwena Maphaka to Sikandar Raza, Good-length delivery, angled across off, Raza stands tall and taps it down to covers.

12.1: Kwena Maphaka to Clive Madande, Pitched up on middle and leg, Clive Madande looks to flick but gets an outside edge down to deep third for a single.

11.6: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, On a fractionally fuller length, outside off, Clive Madande push-drives off the front foot to deep point for a single.

11.5: Corbin Bosch to Clive Madande, Good length, jagging back in a touch, around off. Clive Madande presses forward and taps it to the cover region with soft hands.

Clive Madande is the next batter in.

11.4: Corbin Bosch to Tony Munyonga, OUT! BOWLED! RIGHT THROUGH HIS DEFENCE! 66/2 becomes 87/5 for Zimbabwe. Quick, full and tailing into middle and leg. Munyonga is hurried by the pace, caught flat-footed as he tries to whip it across the line. He plays all around it, the ball sneaks past the inside edge and crashes into the leg stump, leaving him completely undone. The leg stump goes for a walk and the Chevrons lose half their side.

11.3: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, Pitched full and angling on the pads. Raza gets out of the crease, tries to heave, but plays it off the inner half through wide mid on for only a run.

11.2: Corbin Bosch to Tony Munyonga, Nips back in on a length, on middle, Tony plays with a vertical bat and knocks it to the left of mid on for a single.

11.1: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, Full and on middle, Raza flicks it in the vast deep mid-wicket space for a single.

10.6: Lungi Ngidi to Tony Munyonga, Excellent bowling! Hurls in a length ball but by taking all the pace off, outside the off stump. Tony Munyonga flirts at it, attempting for the back foot square cut, but gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker. A wicket and just 4 runs from this over.

10.5: Lungi Ngidi to Sikandar Raza, A dipping slower ball, around off, Sikandar Raza moves across the crease, takes it on the full and drills it to long on for a single.

10.4: Lungi Ngidi to Tony Munyonga, Varies his pace as he goes slow at just 117.2 kph, on a fuller length, outside off. Tony is early in his shot as he checks the drive, but ends up chipping it in the air, but in the cover and point gap for a single.

10.3: Lungi Ngidi to Tony Munyonga, BEATEN! A snorter from Ngidi. Zips through the deck, on a good length, outside off. Tony Munyonga's feet go nowhere and he tries to slash it away from his body, with no conviction and ends up getting beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Ryan Burl departs and Tony Munyonga replaces him in the middle with the bat. 

10.2: Lungi Ngidi to Ryan Burl, OUT! LBW! Zimbabwe keep losing wickets at regular intervals, and Raza is left stranded at the other end. Ngidi fires in a fuller ball which angles into the batter, from middle to leg. Ryan Burl gets across off and tries to flick it to the leg side, but plays over the line and misses to connect, wearing it on the front pad. Big appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger this time. Burl is a bit too reluctant, but he does opt for a review after having a word with his skipper. Nothing on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball projected to crash into the leg stump. The on-field decision stays and Zimbabwe are now 82/4.

10.1: Lungi Ngidi to Ryan Burl, Touch full, angling on the pads, Burl nudges it through mid-wicket and they hare back for the second run.

9.6: Aiden Markram to Sikandar Raza, Darted into the blockhole, Raza jams the bat down in the nick of time to squeeze it back to the bowler.

9.5: Aiden Markram to Sikandar Raza, Attempts to fire a yorker in at the off pole. Raza takes it on the full but punches it straight to extra cover.

9.4: Aiden Markram to Sikandar Raza, MISFIELD, FOUR! Maphaka could have done much better there. Tossed up on middle, Raza bends down to sweep. Maphaka charges in for the catch but gets caught in no man’s land as the ball drops just short of him, and he cannot stop it from running away to the boundary.

9.3: Aiden Markram to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Sails over the ropes! Dropped full and on leg, Sikandar Raza gets down on a knee and sweeps it using his wrists behind long leg for a six.

9.2: Aiden Markram to Sikandar Raza, An appeal for LBW, the umpire turns it down. Fired on a fuller length, around the leg stump line. Raza sits down to paddle sweep it, but plays all over it, wearing it on the front pad. A big appeal for LBW from Quinton de Kock, but the umpire stays put. Markram and Miller join the conversation and hang on, they have gone upstairs for a review. Looked to be pitching outside leg in real time, though. Nothing on UltraEdge, and the Ball Tracking reveals the ball is clearly pitching outside leg, and that too, by a long way. The on-field decision is upheld and South Africa burn a review.

9.1: Aiden Markram to Ryan Burl, Bowls from around the stump. Short, on off, Burl backs away in the crease and cuts it through the backward point and cover gap for a single.

Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack now.

8.6: George Linde to Ryan Burl, Slowish delivery, full at 86.6 kph, on middle and leg, Burl flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. A successful over for the Proteas and Linde. Just three singles and a wicket from it.

8.5: George Linde to Sikandar Raza, Touch short, outside off, Raza crunches it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

8.4: George Linde to Sikandar Raza, Nagging length, sliding in with the arm, on the pads. Raza misses to whip it across and wears on the thigh pad.

8.3: George Linde to Ryan Burl, Too full, on off, carved away through mid off for a run.

End of a brewing partnership. In comes Ryan Burl at number 5.

8.2: George Linde to Dion Myers, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND CAUGHT! Linde gets his first wicket and breaks the budding 38-run partnership. Linde slows it up a bit and drags the length by a few yards, but the line of attack stays on the stumps. Dion Myers gets down on his knee to slog it over deep mid-wicket, but fails to get under it properly and ends up top edging it to mid-wicket. Dewald Brevis hauls in from the ropes and settles under it to take a safe catch. Zimbabwe are 66/3 as a disappointed Dion Myers trudges off to the dugout.

8.1: George Linde to Dion Myers, Sees Dion advance and Linde fires in a full ball on middle. Myers tries to whip it to the leg side, but yorks himself, inside edging it to the front boot.

7.6: Anrich Nortje to Dion Myers, Hard length on off, Dion Myers punches this to long off for a run to end the over. An expensive one from Anrich Nortje.

7.5: Anrich Nortje to Dion Myers, Back of a length on leg, Dion Myers once again exposes his stumps and moves away to his leg. Pulls this through the left of mid-wicket for a couple as Tristan Stubbs does well to cut it off before the fence running to his right from long on. 

7.4: Anrich Nortje to Dion Myers, On a length, slanting into the batter. Dion Myers backs away a bit and pushes this grounded to extra cover. 

7.4: Anrich Nortje to Dion Myers, WIDE! On a length down the leg, Dion Myers leaves it. Wide given by the umpire.

7.3: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, Good length on leg, Sikandar Raza gets it away through mid-wicket and rotates the strike. 11 runs off the first 3 balls of this Anrich Nortje over.

7.2: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Raza is on fire and playing a skipper's knock. Hard length on middle and off, Sikandar Raza clears his front foot and plants it to his leg and pulls this over the fence towards the cow corner region for a biggie.

7.1: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Sensational from Sikandar Raza. Back of a length around off, Sikandar Raza shimmies away to his leg and punches this right in the gap between mid off and extra cover for a boundary.

6.6: George Linde to Dion Myers, Fired into the batter, around middle and leg. Dion Myers looks to push this in the gap at covers but gets it edged off the inside onto the pads.

6.5: George Linde to Sikandar Raza, Darted onto the pads, Sikandar Raza milks this to long on for one.

6.4: George Linde to Sikandar Raza, Quicker and flatter on off, Sikandar Raza rocks back and punches this to the right of Anrich Nortje at sweeper cover for a couple of runs this time.

6.3: George Linde to Dion Myers, Pushed through on off, Dion Myers drives this through extra cover for a run.

6.2: George Linde to Sikandar Raza, Quicker one, on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza goes deep inside the crease and tucks this through mid on for another strike rotation.

6.1: George Linde to Dion Myers, Floated on off, Dion Myers rocks back and punches this through the covers region for a single. 

DRINKS BREAK! The pitch does not look like a belter as the odd ball has kicked up and stayed low as well. With both Zimbabwean openers dismissed without much impact, the focus now shifts to how they navigate this middle phase while ensuring the run rate does not dip massively. The South African pacers have been right on the money so far, offering very little room and forcing the batters to manufacture their strokes and would look to get the wicket of Raza as quickly as possible to peg Zimbabwe seriously back. George Linde (1-0-13-0) returns into the attack after the break. He replaces Anrich Nortje.

5.6: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! Beautifully struck boundary from Raza. Good length around off, Sikandar Raza stays leg side to it and drives this through the left of covers for a boundary to close the Powerplay. Ryan Rickelton did put in a dive to his left to field this but fails to get anything on the ball and it races to the fence. Zimbabwe are 45/2 after 6 overs.

5.5: Corbin Bosch to Dion Myers, Full and drifting down the leg, Dion Myers flicks this to deep backward square leg for a run.

5.4: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, On a length around middle and off, Sikandar Raza steps across and rolls this to mid on for a single. 

5.3: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, Good length around off, Sikandar Raza blocks this back to the bowler.

5.2: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, SIX! Pumped out of the park. Back of a length around off, Sikandar Raza shuffles across the stumps and pulls this over the fence towards the deep square leg region for a huge six. 

5.1: Corbin Bosch to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! A full delivery angled into off and middle from over the wicket at 140.8 kph. Raza opens the face and drives without much foot movement, guiding it past the diving fielder at backward point. Maphaka puts in a dive in the deep, but replays indicate he could not gather it cleanly.

Change again. Corbin Bosch replaces Kwena Maphaka.

4.6: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, On a length around middle and leg, Sikandar Raza tucks this through the onside and takes a single. Just one run and a wicket off this Anrich Nortje over.

4.5: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, Good length around leg, Sikandar Raza backs away and looks to get it away but misses.

4.4: Anrich Nortje to Sikandar Raza, A bit awkward from Sikandar Raza. Back of a length around the pads, Sikandar Raza hops up on his toes and looks to flick this away but gets it thumped back onto the pads and luckily for the Zimbabwean skipper the ball lands behind the stumps. 

Both the Zimbabwean openers are back in the hut. And this dismissal of Bennett will hurt a lot given the kind of form he was in. It is now the test of how their middle order performs without him in this rebuilding phase. In walks the skipper, Sikandar Raza, at number 4.

4.3: Anrich Nortje to Brian Bennett, OUT! CAUGHT! Zimbabwe's top scorer in this edition is done with the bat as he finds Aiden Markram at mid off. Once again, Anrich Nortje bowls it on a hard length, around off, and it kicks up a bit off the deck. Brian Bennett backs away a shade and looks to chip this up and over mid off, but fails to get enough timing and elevation and ends up hitting this straight into the hands of Aiden Markram who gathers it at chest height. Zimbabwe are 28/2.

4.2: Anrich Nortje to Brian Bennett, Brian shuffles to his leg and Anrich Nortje follows him with a length delivery into the batter. Brian Bennett pushes this to point for another dot.

4.1: Anrich Nortje to Brian Bennett, Hard length, on top of off, Brian Bennett hops back inside the crease and keeps it out.

Pace replaces pace from this end. Serious pace, to be precise. Here's Anrich Nortje replacing Lungi Ngidi.

3.6: Kwena Maphaka to Brian Bennett, Back of a length and outside off, guided away off the back foot through backward point for a single.

3.5: Kwena Maphaka to Brian Bennett, Not off the middle of the bat but good enough to clear the infield. A skiddy short ball, right at the batter, Bennett leans back to pull but shanks it over wide mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

3.4: Kwena Maphaka to Brian Bennett, Nicely bowled. Good length on off and middle, cuts across the right-hander. Bennett stays back and has a feel for it but the ball just goes past the outside edge.

3.3: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, Wow, that's gone right in between three fielders and Dion Myers will be thanking his lucky stars. Back of a length, hammered into the pitch at around 143 kph. Myers looks to pull but gets a top edge that evades the fielders at short third, point and deep backward point and the batters get a single.

3.2: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, Good change of pace from Kwena. Keeps the length relatively full and angles it across off but bowls it slower. Myers fails to drive it away.

3.1: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, Fuller in length, slanted across off, Myers stays leg side of the ball to smack it through covers but ends up jamming it back to the bowler.

2.6: Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, Oh, that's cleverly bowled. Slower one, seems like a full toss on off, but it dips late. Brian Bennett hangs back to swipe across the line but gets it off the toe end of the blade towards mid-wicket.

2.5: Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, Full-pitched delivery again, outside off, Brian Bennett digs it away and gets it past the point region for a couple of runs in the deep.

2.4: Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, Slower one, bowled full and wide outside off, Bennett gets low and squeezes it away to point.

2.3: Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, Good length, into the pitch slightly and bowled outside off. Bennett stays put and looks to slap it away but mistimes it badly towards extra cover.

2.2: Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Stand and deliver! Short of a good length and over off. This one sits up a bit and Brian Bennett just muscles the short-arm jab wide of long on for a boundary.

2.1: Lungi Ngidi to Brian Bennett, Ngidi starts with a full ball, darting it in towards middle, Bennett drills it towards mid off.

Pace from both ends. Lungi Ngidi replaces George Linde.

1.6: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, FOUR! Glorious from Myers. Overpitched on off and middle, Myers holds his shape this time and just drives the ball back down the ground, it races away to the left of the bowler and into the fence behind.

1.5: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, A play and a miss! Pitched-up delivery, angled across off, Dion Myers stays put and reaches out to drive but is well beaten.

1.4: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, Fuller and wider, outside off, Myers reaches out to drive but smothers it down the deck.

1.3: Kwena Maphaka to Dion Myers, Oh, that's a beauty from Kwena! Good length, lands on off and middle, angles away a touch before straightening. Dion Myers is bamboozled as the ball zips past the edge.

Dion Myers is the next batter out in the middle for Zimbabwe. 

1.2: Kwena Maphaka to Tadiwanashe Marumani, OUT! TIMBER! You miss, I hit! Kwena Maphaka picks up his first T20 World Cup wicket as well. Maphaka pitches the ball up on middle stump, gets it to shape in a bit and the ball also does a bit off the turf. Tadiwanashe Marumani takes the front leg out to whack it across the line but is well beaten and the ball crashes into the leg pole, uprooting it off the ground.

1.2: Kwena Maphaka to Tadiwanashe Marumani, WIDE. Maphaka goes full, looking for the inswinger, but spills it way down the leg side.

1.1: Kwena Maphaka to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Back of a length, on a tight line around off, Marumani stays back and drops it back onto the turf with gentle hands.

An expensive first over for South Africa and Zimbabwe are off to a good start. Kwena Maphaka will be bowling from the other end. 

0.6: George Linde to Brian Bennett, SIX! Wow, Brian Bennett is indeed in pristine form. Flighted ball around off, Bennett lunges across to the off side and sweeps it aerially, just behind deep backward square leg and all the way for a biggie. What a way to get off the mark and Zimbabwe get 13 runs off the first over.

0.5: George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dragged length on the pads, Marumani rocks back and works it wide of square leg for a single.

0.4: George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Full and straight, swept away firmly through the square leg region for a couple of runs.

0.3: George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Oh, hello! A one-handed reverse sweep on the third ball of the game? Yes, please, says Tadiwanashe Marumani. Floated up on off, Marumani gets a big stride forward and looks for the exotic shot but fails to connect and gets hit on the underside of the helmet.

0.2: George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Better line from Linde. Fired in a bit, slightly fuller and on off, Marumani defends it from inside the crease.

0.1: George Linde to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Oh, that's raced away to the fence. Length ball on the pads, Tadiwanashe Marumani hops back and tucks it off his hips and gets it well to the right of Anrich Nortje at short fine leg for a boundary. Fine start for Zimbabwe.

Done with the pre-match formalities and we are now set for the action to begin. Brian Bennett has walked out with Tadiwanashe Marumani to open for Zimbabwe. George Linde will be bowling the first over of this contest for the Proteas. 

It is time for the national anthems as the flags of both countries are unveiled. The teams have lined up on either side of the match officials, with Aiden Markram leading South Africa and Zimbabwe led by Sikandar Raza. It will be the South African anthem first and then the Zimbabwean. 

The skipper of South Africa - Aiden Markram mentions that they would have chosen to bat first as well, noting that the surface looks quite good. He adds that the team has been comfortable chasing in this tournament and has found success with that approach and that they wanted to see how they go batting first. He stresses the importance of sticking to the basics and repeating the right processes, especially with games coming thick and fast in this format. Admits that there are a couple of areas where they need to tidy up before the knockouts come. He also informs three changes to the XI, with Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje and George Linde coming into the side. Shares that these guys have been working hard behind the scenes and that they deserve some game time as well. Also adds that it also gives the team a chance to assess them in different conditions, especially as cover in case of any injuries later in the tournament.

The skipper of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says that it is a day game and unfortunately wth the injuries, they have gone with a combination that favors their bowling attack and that has also influenced their decision to bat first. Gives further insights on the injuries and says that Richard Ngarava has a back spasm, Tashinga Musekiwa is also injured and there's one more tactical change as well, so a total of three changes in the side. Mentions that the challenge remains for them to be a consistent mid-table team in the next 18 months or so.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde (In for Keshav Maharaj), Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje (In for Marco Jansen), Kwena Maphaka (In for Kagiso Rabada), Lungi Ngidi.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande (In for Tashinga Musekiwa), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza (In for Tinotenda Maposa), Graeme Cremer (In for Richard Ngarava), Blessing Muzarabani.

TOSS - The coin is flipped by the skipper of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza. Tails is the call from Markram and it lands as Heads. ZIMBABWE ELECT TO BAT FIRST.