West Indies recovered from a top-order implosion to post a competitive 176/7 against South Africa in their pivotal Super Eight clash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. A record-breaking eighth-wicket partnership between Jason Holder (49) and Romario Shepherd (41) rescued the Caribbean side after Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada left them reeling at 43/4 within the first four overs.
After Shai Hope ignited the match with two sixes in the opening over, South Africa’s pace attack executed a clinical dismantling of the West Indies' top five. However, the Proteas failed to maintain their stranglehold, conceding 70 runs in the final five overs as the red-soil pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium offered true bounce for the lower-order hitters.
South Africa’s decision to introduce spin early with Keshav Maharaj backfired as Hope plundered 17 runs off the first six balls. But the introduction of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi instantly shifted the momentum. Rabada removed both Hope and Shimron Hetmyer in a single over, while Ngidi found the outside edges of Brandon King and Roston Chase.
The West Indies, renowned for their pedal-to-the-metal approach, appeared to have played into South Africa's hands. By the time Sherfane Rutherford fell to Corbin Bosch, the visitors were 60/5 and facing a sub-120 total.
The salvage operation was led by the most experienced man in the side. Jason Holder utilized his long levers to target the straight boundaries, while Romario Shepherd provided the muscle through the leg side. Their alliance became the highest stand for the eighth wicket in T20I history, steadying a ship that had been taking on water for ten overs.
The turning point for the total came in the 18th over, where Marco Jansen struggled with his lengths. Holder hammered two sixes and two fours in a 23-run over that saw Jansen finish his spell with expensive figures of 0/50.
Final score: 176/7 in 20 overs.
Rescue: Holder (49 off 31) and Shepherd (41 off 28).
Six-hitting record: West Indies have now hit 66 sixes in this tournament, the most by any team in a single T20 World Cup edition.
Bowling standouts: Lungi Ngidi (3/30), Corbin Bosch (2/23), Kagiso Rabada (2/22).
NRR factor: The late surge could prove vital for net run rate permutations in Group 1.
While Jansen leaked runs, Lungi Ngidi returned to restore order with a series of deceptive, dipping slower balls. Ngidi’s final over went for just five runs, showcasing the "surgical precision" coach Shukri Conrad had demanded.
The final over, bowled by Bosch, saw the dismissal of Holder, run out for 49 after a mix-up with Shepherd while searching for a second run. Despite the late wicket, the West Indies' recovery to 176 gives their bowlers, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, a formidable total to defend on a surface that has historically rewarded accurate spin.
South Africa must now chase 177 to all but guarantee their place in the semifinals. Given the dew factor and the improvement in batting conditions under lights, the Proteas remain favorites, but the West Indies' high-risk approach has left them very much in the contest.
