South Africa vs United Arab Emirates ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

A single and that will do! Into the surface and bowls it on leg, Smith pulls off the gloves to fine leg for a single. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 6 WICKETS.

Back of a length, outside off. Tristan Stubbs gets on his toes and guides it to backward point for a sharp single. South Africa are a hit away.

Straighter delivery on middle, driven down to long off for a single.

Drops it full and floats it outside off. Tristan Stubbs leans across and pushes it to cover.

Flat and slow, outside off, Jason Smith slaps it to deep cover for a run.

Flights it very full and outside off, TS strokes it through point for a single.

Jason Smith tries to launch it away as he gets low but Muhammad Farooq bowls it  a bit too full and outside off, this is hit to long off for one.

A length delivery, outside off, Tristan Stubbs punches it firmly to deep cover and scampers across for one.

Short in length, outside off, Jason Smith cuts well but can't get it past backward point.

Touch fuller, wide outside off. Smith leans and punches it square of the wicket.

Another wicket goes down as the Proteas look to finish things off in a hurry. Jason Smith will now get an opportunity to bat with 7 runs needed for the win.

OUT! TAKEN! Brevis goes! Short of a good length and around off, gets slightly big on Brevis as he tries to pull it away. He gets a top edge to mid off where Harshit Kaushik (sub), takes the skier. A good hand by Dewald Brevis of 36 (25). South Africa just need 7 runs.

Not that short, around off, Stubbs pegs back and forces it down to long on for one.

Back of a length and on middle and leg, Brevis whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Brevis launches one now! Serves it full, in the slot and on middle. Probably the slower ball but Brevis picks it up quickly, gets low and tonks it over long on for a six. South Africa need runs in single digits now.

Wide! Bowls a slower bouncer, just around leg. Dewald Brevis lets it go to the keeper.

Flat and outside off on a length, Brevis scythes it to cover-point, where a slight fumble allows a single.

A tad short, outside off, Stubbs eases it to sweeper cover for a single.

With just 18 more needed for the win off 56 deliveries, Tristan Stubbs walks in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! One shot too many for Rickelton. Farooq drags his length on this occasion. This is shortish and on middle and leg. It lands and spins with a bit of bounce. Ryan Rickelton rocks back and tries to sail it over deep square leg, but mistimes it off the top edge. Gets no power or distance as the ball airs towards the right of deep square leg. Dhruv Parashar swoops to his right and takes a fine diving catch in the outfield. Quite an entertaining knock from Rickelton though. South Africa are 105/3, needing 18 more.

SIX MORE! 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA! Dropped right into the slot, full and on the leg stump line. Ryan Rickelton gets down on his knee and powerfully slog sweeps it over cow corner for half a dozen more.

Leg break, tight line on the stumps, punched back to the bowler.

SIX! In a hurry now! Farooq starts with a short ball, on middle, Ryan Rickelton rocks back, gets under it and nails the pull shot behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

Another bowling change as Muhammad Farooq comes into the attack now.

Pace off, fractionally full and outside off, Ryan stays back and slashes it like a knife to deep cover for a single. At halfway, South Africa are 93/2, needing 30 more runs.

Slowish delivery, on the stumps, Dewald Brevis tries to push it straight, but gets an inside edge through mid-wicket for one.

Nagging length, on off, Brevis presses back and steers it to backward point.

Another pace-off delivery on a good length, nipping back in. Brevis tucks it off the back foot through mid-wicket and they dash back for the second run by the time the fielder gets to the ball in the outfield.

WIDE! Dug in short and slow, over middle, Dewald Brevis ducks under it to let it be. Wide called for height.

A touch full and on the middle stumps, Ryan gets on the front foot and drills it down the ground, to the left of long off for a single.

Shortish and around off, Dewald pushes it between cover and point for a single.

Muhammad Arfan comes into the attack now, replacing Muhammad Jawadullah.

FOUR BYES! That goes past everyone. Haider lands it in thereabouts of middle, full in length and gets good grip and bounce. Ryan Rickelton sits down to reverse sweep, but the ball spins past him and he misses to connect due to the extra bounce. The keeper too, fails to gather it to his right and it races to the ropes behind.

Touch short, around off, Dewald Brevis punches it through the cover and point gap for a single.

An in-angler on a length, Brevis eases it to backward point.

Haider is quick to pull his length back. 90.6 kph. Brevis goes for the cut but ends up chopping it onto the deck.

SIX! LAUNCHED! Pitched full, around off, Brevis gives himself a bit of room moving leg side and thumps it over long off for a massive six.

Full at 96.4 kph, outside off, Dewald Brevis backs away, creates room and flat bats it down the ground. Hits it flatly and the umpire ducks in the nick of time to get out of the firing line as the ball rolls between long on and long off. The former fielder cuts it off to his left. Two taken.

Risky single but they make it with ease in the end. Hard length on middle and leg, nudged down into the leg side and the batters take off for two. Muhammad Jawadullah runs after it and picks it up, firing a wide throw at the bowler's end. 50 needed now off 72 balls.

Pitched up around off, holds a bit in the deck. Brevis jams it off the face of the blade to extra cover.

SIX! Off the meaty part of the blade. Dug in quick and short, over leg stump, Brevis is waiting for it. He swivel-pulls it handsomely over deep square leg for an 87-meter biggie.

Oh, a super slow ball, Jawadullah taking a leaf out of Sam Curran's playbook here. Bowls the 'moon ball', on a length on middle and leg. The ball grips and moves away and Brevis just blocks it off.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, Brevis dabs it across into the leg side.

FOUR! Edged away. Pitched up a tad fuller on middle, angling away. Dewald Brevis opts to stay back and cut it away but the ball bounces off a fuller length and catches the outside edge, racing away to the deep third fence.

Short and outside off, cut away to deep point for a run. Just 6 runs off it.

Good length around off, Dewald Brevis is early to back away but fails to get this one away, miscuing it back to the bowler.

Fractionally short on off and middle, Rickelton rocks back to pull but ends up snatching at it. The ball rolls down to long on for another single.

Fired in at the stumps, Brevis rocks back and jams it through covers for a single.

Brevis is off the mark now. Just marginally short on off, skids on, Brevis backs away and uses those quick hands to slap it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

Pushed through flatter and a bit full on off, Rickelton rocks back and eases it down the ground for a single.

Looks like Brevis needs some medical attention. The extra bounce caused the handle to jam into the fingers of his left hand. The physio is out in the middle, applying some magic spray to the bruised area. It is the left index finger that has taken the blow. All set to resume now. Haider Ali (1-0-18-1) is brought back on, replacing Junaid Siddique.

Oh, extra bounce! Short of a good length and on leg again, Dewald Brevis looks to get behind the line and block but is taken aback and wears it on the gloves. South Africa end the Powerplay at 56/2.

Just back of a length and on leg, Brevis presses back and manages to tuck it away into the on side.

DRINKS BREAK. Despite losing both openers in the Powerplay, the Proteas are in the driving seat. They need just 67 runs from 86 balls. UAE must strike regularly from here to have any chance of tightening the contest, especially given South Africa’s deep batting lineup. Dewald Brevis walks in at number 4. This is a perfect opportunity for him to get some runs behind his name before the Super Eights. He has got the starts but hasn't quite been able to convert them into big scores or stay at the crease for long.

OUT! CAUGHT! Slashed away to the fielder in the deep and de Kock's sluggish start comes to an end. Shortish length once again from Muhammad Jawadullah, enticing the batter to go after it. Quinton de Kock gets on the front foot but ends up slicing it up and over the infield. Syed Haider at deep backward point gobbles it up and de Kock walks back for just 14 (16).

Back of a length, tighter line around off this time, dabbed away through the gully region for a single.

FOUR! Up and over this time. Short of a length again, outside off, Rickelton gets up on his toes and angles it over short third, beating the man at deep backward point well to his right for another boundary.

FOUR! Through the gap. Short and wide, a real loosener, Ryan Rickelton reaches for it and taps it down firmly to the left of point and gets it through for a boundary. 50 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

Muhammad Jawadullah is brought into the attack, replacing Dhruv Parashar.

FOUR! Delicately done. Back of a length and outside off, too much width on offer. Quinton de Kock hangs back, waits for it and just dabs it past short third for another boundary. Just 76 needed now off 90 balls.

Another dot and QDK hasn't managed to rotate strike at all so far. Junaid comes over the wicket and hits the good length on off, angling it away. De Kock shapes up for the heave but is beaten by the pace and bounce.

A slower bumper, well short and outside off. De Kock leaves it in hopes of a wide but won't get the call from the square leg umpire.

FOUR! Slammed away through point! Short and wide outside off, QDK backs away and hammers it square and the ball races away to the fence in a flash.

Hard length around middle, QDK looks to tap and run but gets an inside edge and nearly chops it back onto the stumps.

Oh, that's zipped past the outside edge. Junaid uses the angle from around the wicket and slants it back in and then gets it to straighten a touch outside off. Quinton de Kock has a poke at it but is well beaten.

Fires it full and in line of the stumps, played back to the bowler.

FOUR! Slapped away! Too short and too wide, Rickelton has ample time to go on the back foot. He uses the crease and cuts it through covers for a boundary.

Again sticks into the surface! A half-tracker, just outside off, QDK's one hand comes off as he pulls it past mid-wicket for a run.

Looped up, outside off, holds a bit into the surface. Rickelton hits it uppishly and to long off for a single.

Fuller delivery, outside off. Rickelton nicely drives it square off the wicket but finds the point fielder.

A half-tracker, outside off, too close to the batter. Quinton de Kock flat-bats it over Dhruv's head and to long off for a run.

Simon Doull on air mentions that this is the first wicket for a UAE spinner in this T20 World Cup. Ryan Rickelton walks in at number 3. And a change of ends for Dhruv Parashar. He replaces Junaid Siddique.

OUT! BOWLED! Oh, Haider Ali comes up with a peach of a delivery. Bowls it at 93 clicks, Ali slows up the pace by a lot and tosses it up on middle, it comes with the arm. Aiden Markram loses his shape as he tries to launch it down the ground. The ball goes past his inside edge and clips the leg pole. Smartly bowled. A quick fire 28 off 11 balls for the Proteas skipper.

FOUR! Very cheeky from Markram! Shorter delivery, outside off, Aiden Markram plays it deliberately late, cuts it past short third for a boundary.

SIX! BANG! Aiden Markram means business. Dragged length, asking to be hit. Aiden Markram quickly rocks back, clears his front leg and hammers it over mid-wicket for a six.

FOUR! Finds the gap at the very same place. Flatter again, outside off. Aiden Markram bends his back and punches it firmly, past cover and extra-cover for a boundary.

Flatter delivery, outside off, punched to cover.

FOUR! Very, very fine. Starts with a fuller delivery, angling into the batter on leg. Aiden Markram helps it on its way to fine leg and it speeds into the fence.

Spin replaces spin as Haider Ali is into the attack now, replacing Dhruv Parashar.

FOUR! Quinton de Kock was waiting for this delivery. Gets off the mark with his go-to shot. Back of a length, around off, sits nicely for the left-hander. QDK pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Length ball, around off from around the wicket. Quinton de Kock gets on top of the bat and drops it to point.

Ah, some extra bounce! Shorter and around off. Aiden Markram is surprised as he taps off the sticker of the bat, behind point for one.

FOUR! Glorious! Junaid Siddique serves it in the slot, touch fuller and on middle, Aiden Markram keeps the face of the bat relatively open and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

A bit fuller, outside off. Aiden Markram leans to drive it away but slightly mistimes. Hits off the cue end of the bat to the right of extra-cover.

FOUR! That is a gift for Markram! Junaid Siddique drifts in a fuller delivery, down leg as he looks for some swing. Aiden Markram tickles it down past short fine leg and it races to the fence.

Very tidy from Dhruv in the opening over. And here's UAE best bowler this World Cup. Junaid Siddique to operate from the opposite end.

Excellent start by Dhruv Parashar. A bit shorter and close to the off pole. Quinton de Kock pegs back and cuts it to backward point.

Comes in slightly, fuller delivery, around off. Quinton de Kock hangs low and chops it to point.

Tosses it up, fuller and around off. Quinton de Kock defends on the front foot.

Pushes it full and close to the stumps, slower in the air. Quinton de Kock presses forward and taps it back to the bowler.

QDK misses out! Dragged length, wide outside off. Quinton de Kock waits and slaps but straight to point.

Flatter trajectory and on middle, a little bit of inward shape. Aiden Markram punches it to long on for a single. South Africa are underway.

Farooq shuffles a long way across the off stump and Corbin lasers a full ball, following the batter to cramp him up for space. Farooq goes for a scoop shot, but fails to put his bat on the ball. Quinton de Kock dives to his right and gathers the ball and the batters dash off for a bye. So just 4 runs from the final over. UAE FINISH AT 122/6.

Short at shoulder height, Dhruv Parashar plays the evasive pull shot off the back foot to deep fine leg for a run.

Into the pitch, zips through the deck, short and outside off, Dhruv tries to ramp it behind, but the extra bounce beats his bat.

Short of a length, outside off, Farooq works it through point for a single.

Out goes Muhammad Arfan, in comes Muhammad Farooq.

OUT! TAKEN SAFELY! Safely because South Africa have dropped a few sitters today. At 139.1 kph, it’s a short-of-a-length delivery outside off. Muhammad Arfan rocks back and goes for the pull, but gets it high off the top half of the bat and he is no control of the shot. The fielder at deep mid-wicket moves to his left, settles under it, and completes a comfortable catch. Corbin gets his third wicket. UAE are 119/6.

Back of a length and outside off, swatted down to long off for a single.

Corbin Bosch (3-0-9-2) to bowl the final over. Can the United Arab Emirates get close to the 130 mark?

Slower short ball, on top of off and middle. Dhruv Parashar creates room by staying leg side, tries to flat bat it over cover, but the ball flies behind off the outside edge. Deep third collects the ball to his left on a couple of bounces. The batters cross for a single. Just 4 runs from the penultimate over.

Short and it holds on the surface, around off, Arfan stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

It has started to drizzle at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The artificial lights are on. So far, it's light and we should probably see off this innings easily.

A slower one, pitched outside leg, full in length, this is flicked through square leg for an easy run.

A rib-tickler by Maphaka, short and on the leg stump line. Dhruv Parashar tries to duck-pull by getting inside the line, but misses. Not called a wide.

Much fuller, on middle and off, Arfan heaves off the inner half. A bit uppishly but on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A cutter, into the pitch, short and outside off, Arfan backs away to play the uppercut, but misses due to the lack of pace.

Full on the stumps, clubbed to long on for a single.

Short of a good length, outside off, Dhruv Parashar cuts it to deep point for a single.

South Africa finally hold onto a catch. Dhruv Parashar is the next batter in, replacing Alishan Sharafu.

OUT! HIGH IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Almost a collision and another dropped catch, but Maphaka does well to hold on to it. Anrich bends his back and slams the deck very hard, on the bodyline. It skids and kicks up as Alishan Sharafu miscues the pull shot off the higher part of the bat. The ball spoons behind square leg. Now, Kagiso Rabada from deep fine leg and Kwena Maphaka from square converge for the catch. Rabada eventually pulls out and Maphaka takes a good running catch around his chest.

Nails the yorker in, the toe-crusher from Nortje. Muhammad Arfan does well to dig it out and flicks it wide of square leg, in front of square, for a single.

Slips in a full toss, dipping below waist on the leg stump as Nortje follows the batter. Alishan Sharafu backs away to the leg side and uses the pace of the ball to guide it for a single at deep third.

Good length, outside off, Arfan dabs it to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Edged away and Kagiso Rabada will be even more disappointed now. Another off-paced delivery, back of a length and outside off, Sharafu looks to run it fine but gets an outside edge that goes between the keeper and short third for a boundary. Sharafu moves on to 44 now.

Short and angled across off, Arfan leans back and ramps it on the bounce to Anrich Nortje at deep third for a single.

Slower one, on a length and outside off, Muhammad Arfan looks to go after it but misses.

Back of a length and angled across off, dabbed down to short third.

Short of a good length and on the pads, nudged off the inside edge down to short fine leg for a single.

DROPPED! Another one goes down and it's off Rabada's bowling again. KG will be fuming here. Pitched up fuller and on leg, slightly slower, Muhammad Arfan heaves it high and just over mid on. Corbin Bosch backtracks and looks to reverse cup it but spills the ball. Single taken. Not at all the standards South Africa have set in the fielding department.

Play and a miss! Back of a length and over off, Sharafu backs away to cut but misses.

DROPPED, FOUR! Goes through the hands. Another one that is banged in short and wide. Alishan Sharafu backs away and throws his hands at it, slicing it down to deep third. Anrich Nortje misreads the trajectory and goes for the catch but the ball falls short and goes past him for a boundary. 100 UP FOR UAE!

That's a hostile delivery by Corbin! Sharafu has been struck hard on the helmet for the second time in this match. The protective equipment covering the neck comes off. This time, he looks a bit shaken off by the blow. A mandatory concussion test is in process for Sharafu as the physio is out in the middle. He looks fine to continue now.

Oh, that's a nasty blow. Alishan Sharafu is a bit early to back away and Corbin Bosch follows him with a skiddy short ball. Sharafu is unable to get out of the way and the ball just hurries on and smashes into the side of the helmet, knocking the two flaps that protect the backside of the head. Hopefully, Sharafu is fine, he does seem a bit rattled.

Short of a good length on off, Arfan arches back and runs it to deep third for one.

Short of a length and outside off, angling away, Arfan looks to play at it but is well beaten.

Good length in the channel, pushed down to covers.

Corbin Bosch (2-0-4-2) returns, replacing Anrich Nortje.

Back of a length and outside off, guided away down to deep third for a single.

DROPPED! Oh, almost brilliant teamwork in the deep but it goes down. Short ball at the body, Alishan Sharafu is unable to back away and just scoops it around the corner on the leg side. Anrich Nortje at deep fine moves to his left and pouches the ball but it seems to be going over the ropes. He sees Jason Smith running towards him from deep backward square leg and flicks it back but the flick is very firm and Smith is unable to hold on. He was a bit too close to take the catch. Single taken.

Good length outside off, tapped away behind point for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward from Maphaka. He looks for the yorker at the toes but ends up darting a full toss down the leg side. No chance for the keeper to collect it and the ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

Swing and a miss! Dug in quick and short, outside off, Muhammad Arfan tries to take it on but misses by a long way.

Good length angled across off, Sharafu dabs it down to short third for a single.

The UAE would want Alishan to bat till the end if they are to get anywhere close to 150.

FOUR! Hammered away! Dug in short over middle and leg, Alishan Sharafu rocks back and muscles the pull, flat and wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Risky but effective running. Pushes it full and on middle, Alishan Sharafu drives it straight to Aiden Markram at mid off, who has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. 5 runs and a wicket of Nortje's third over.

Shorter delivery on leg, Muhammad Arfan mistimes his pull shot to fine leg for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. The Proteas have done an excellent job of choking the run rate in this middle phase as they have kept picking wickets at regular intervals. The UAE haven’t been allowed to build any meaningful partnerships. 38/0 becomes 84/4. Alishan Sharafu has got a good start, but he needs stability from the other end to accelerate and finish strongly in the backend. In walks Muhammad Arfan at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Syed Haider was not at all in control of this shot. Actually, not in control of his innings. His struggle comes to an end. Anrich Nortje bumps it into the surface, extra pace behind it and the ball skids too. Syed Haider hurries as he tries to duck-pull but manages a top edge to square leg. Kwena Maphaka, inside the ring, runs behind and to his right to take a simple catch.

Goes full now, on middle, Alishan Sharafu drills it to long on for one more.

Drags his length back and bowls onto the bodyline. Syed Haider swipes and hits it to long on for one.

Nortje bends his back and bowls into the surface at 141 clicks, outside off. Alishan Sharafu skips down and slashes his blade. He slices it to the right of the deep point fielder, who picks up on a bounce. A single.

Excellent spell from Linde, where spinners have got the least amount of help in this World Cup. 1/17 in 4 overs. Just 13 runs in the last 3 overs for the UAE. Anrich Nortje (2-0-18-0) returns. He replaces Rabada.

Tosses it up, touch fuller and around off. Alishan Sharafu knocks it wide of cover and keeps the strike. Tidy stuff from South Africa so far.

Fractionally short and on middle, Syed Haider pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, well bowled! Linde sees Haider shuffle in his crease and serves it touch wide outside off. Syed Haider adjusts and pats it straight to cover.

An appeal for LBW, turned down! Slower in the air, flatter trajectory and on leg. It lands and spins away sharply. Syed Haider gets on his knee to sweep but misses. It was turning well past the stumps.

Nicely bowled! George Linde slows up the pace and gets it to turn away. This is outside off. Syed Haider leans across to push but misses.

Floats it full and angling on middle, Sharafu prods and taps it in front of point and rotates the strike.

George Linde (3-0-14-1) is back on to finish his spell.

A solid bumper on middle and off. Syed Haider bends his back and tries to ride the pace but misses again. Kagiso Rabada, too hot to handle in this over.

On a nagging length, outside off. Alishan Sharafu dabs it to third man and runs across.

Beaten again! This is good stuff from KG! Keeps the stumps into play, hits the surface with a length delivery. Sharafu dances down the track and plays all over it.

Goes a bit too full and on middle, Syed Haider eases it down to long on for a single.

Kagiso Rabada hits the deck hard and serves it on middle, Syed Haider backs away, trying to guide it away but misses. The ball rolls over the middle pole.

On a good length and on middle, drifting in late. Sharafu turns it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Kagiso Rabada (2-0-20-0) is back on.

On a nagging length, around off, it hits the deck and shoots up. Syed Haider dances down the track and swings across but misses.

Touch fuller and around off, Sharafu comes down and makes room as he opens the off side. Hits it through covers for a single.

Ouch, that has banged Alishan Sharafu flush on the helmet. There will be a concussion check to follow and hopefully, Sharafu is fine. He looks okay but the helmet will be changed as well. Thankfully, everything seems fine and we are good to continue.

FOUR LEG BYES! A nervous leave by Sharafu, but UAE do get a boundary. Bangs it short and on middle, extra pace and bounce. Sharafu charges ahead at first, but ducks under it, and gets hit on the helmet. The ball flies behind to the fine leg fence. Sharafu gives a thumbs-up but a concussion protocol will follow.

Pitches it outside leg, slower delivery on a length. Alishan Sharafu looks to pull but misses and it brushes the hips as it rolls to the keeper.

Straighter delivery, length and on the pads. Syed Haider swivels and and plays it to deep square leg for one more.

Back of a length and on top of off. Alishan Sharafu steers it with the angle to deep third for a single.

Halfway mark in the first innings and after an erratic start, South Africa are on top of proceedings right now. Also, Kwena Maphaka is back into the attack. He went for 10 runs in his first over.

Keeps bashing the length hard, on middle, Syed Haider presses back, stays leg side and defends it back to the bowler. After 10 overs, UAE are 66/3.

Zips through the deck, short and over the top of off. Syed Haider feels for it at first, but opts to let it pass.

Shoots in a sharp bumper, over the stumps. Syed Haider ducks under it to let it fly back.

Cannons in full and outside off, Syed Haider drives it to deep backward point. Kwena Maphaka rushes to his right from deep third and dives to palm the ball in before crashing over the ropes. Two taken.

A rare failure for Sohaib Khan in this tournament and out walks the new batter. Syed Haider is in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Wicket number 2 for Corbin and the UAE are in a bit of bother. Bosch hits the deck hard again and the ball skids and nips away from the pitch with some bounce. Sohaib Khan stays put, fiddles at the delivery, hanging his bat loosely away from the body. Gets a thick, healthy outside edge and Quinton de Kock does the rest, taking the catch to his right. UAE are 64/3.

Hits the hard length, over off at 141.9 kph​​. Sohaib Khan presses back and punches it to the off side.

Spin is doing a decent job at the moment for the Proteas. Will Aiden Markram take a risk and bring himself on against the two right-handers? No, but he does bring Corbin Bosch back into the attack, replacing Anrich Nortje.

Too full, on leg, Sohaib Khan runs it down to long on for one more. 4 from it, and Linde's figures read 3-0-14-1.

Not that full, on middle and leg, sliding in. Alishan Sharafu gets on his knee and paddles it to short fine leg for a single.

Offers more flight, full and on the leg stump. Sohaib Khan presses in front and dinks it to widish mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, flatter trajectory, on off, Sohaib Khan covers the line and blocks it back to Linde.

Sharp turn from a length, around off, Alishan presses back and fends it away with soft hands in front of backward point. They cross for a quick single.

Dishes out a full ball in front of the sticks. Alishan Sharafu gets a good stride forward and defends it under the bat.

George Linde to continue...

Bangs it short and on top of off, Sohaib plays it late and dabs it to the backward point region. A pretty profitable over for the UAE. 12 runs from the over.

Nails the yorker in, Alishan Sharafu flicks it to long on for a single.

SIX! Not convincing, but still a six. Back of a length, outside off, Alishan Sharafu walks a step ahead and tries to slash it over point, but gets a bit of an outside edge and the ball gets sliced over the wide deep third fence for a 59-meter six.

FOUR! Off the edge! Nips away at 142 kph, full and outside off, Alishan Sharafu goes with hard hands to drive through cover, but gets a fat outside edge. The ball shoots past the vacant slip cordon and races away to the deep third fence.

Back of a length, outside off, Sohaib Khan presses back and dabs it wide of backward point for a quick run.

Goes full and on middle, Sohaib flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Bowling change? Yes, indeed. Anrich Nortje (1-0-6-0) is back on.

Pushed through, tosses it up a low full toss, on the stumps. Alishan gets on the front foot and bumps it back to the bowler. Linde dives to his left on the follow-through and makes the stop. Another tidy over for the Proteas. Just 4 from it. 6 from the last two.

Touch short, on off, Sharafu gets half forward and knocks it back to the bowler.

Slides into the batter, on middle and full in length, Khan flicks it through mid on for another solo.

Drags the length back and gives the ball more flight, outside off, Alishan Sharafu cuts it off the back foot to deep point for a run.

Grips and turns from off, on a fullish length, Sohaib stays back and steers it wide of point for a single.

Fraction full on middle, spinning away. Sharafu leans on and gently taps it to the cover-point region for a quick run.

End of the Powerplay. South Africa have taken 12 wickets inside the first 6 overs in their 4 group stage matches, the most by any team in this year's competition so far, as mentioned by the on-air commentators.

Attacks the stumps, full and on the leg stump, Alishan Sharafu whips it aerially and on the bounce to the deep backward square leg fielder for a single. Good start for Bosch. A wicket and just 2 runs from it. UAE end their Powerplay at 44/2.

BEATEN! Hard length, outside off and it keeps rising on the batter. Alishan Sharafu lines up for a square cut to the off side, but the ball bounces above his angled bat.

Full and just a little away shape from off, Alishan Sharafu gets on top of the ball and laces it away, straight to the cover-point fielder.

Slants it onto the pads, on a good length, Khan gets a bit across and wrists it to deep backward square leg for a single to get off the mark.

DRINKS! After a very brisk start from the UAE, they have now lost both their openers and will have to rebuild. Kagiso Rabada isn't having his best tournament so far and today has been no different for him. The change bowlers are starting to do a decent job for the Proteas and they will look to end the Powerplay with one more wicket. It is all about consolidation for the UAE in the upcoming middle phase and it will be interesting to see if they can step up or not. With that said, UAE's star-batter, Sohaib Khan walks out to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! And just like that, both the UAE openers are back in the hut. Instant impact by Bosch. He slams the deck really hard and keeps the line of attack on the body of the batter. It lands, skids and rears up a bit from the pitch as Sharma is hurried on the pull shot. The ball gets big on Aryansh and he mistimes the shot off the splice of the bat. Kwena Maphaka at mid-wicket, runs a few steps back from the inner ring and takes a straightforward catch. From 38/0, UAE ARE 42/2.

Fires one in and around middle, Aryansh Sharma stays put and tucks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

Corbin Bosch is into the attack now, replacing Anrich Nortje.

FOUR! What a way to get off the mark. Flighted ball, a bit full and outside off, Alishan Sharafu makes a bit of room and lifts it inside-out over covers for a boundary.

Linde keeps bowling stump-to-stump and Sharafu makes another block.

Flat and full on middle and leg, Alishan Sharafu blocks it down to mid on.

So after a bit of a sloppy start, the Proteas finally have their first breakthrough. Out goes the UAE skipper and Alishan Sharafu walks in at number 3.

OUT! LBW! George Linde floats it very full and on leg stump, looking for some turn. Muhammad Waseem goes across on one knee to sweep but gets himself into a tangle. The ball sneaks under the willow and hits him on the back pad. There is an appeal and up goes the umpire's finger. Waseem does take the review, not sure if that's the right call but let's see what the third umpire has to say. No need for UltraEdge as replays confirm that the ball misses the bat and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. It stays Out and South Africa finally get the breakthrough. End of a 38-run opening stand.

Good length, angled into the leg stump, Sharma backs away and punches it with a straight bat to long off for one more.

Starts with a flatter delivery on middle and leg, Waseem tucks it across to square leg and picks up a single.

Spin time? Bingo. George Linde is introduced into the attack. He replaces Kagiso Rabada.

Back of a length and around off, jabbed into the off side for a single by Waseem.

Oh, nearly a beamer. Nortje ends up serving a waist-high full toss and the batter is taken aback by it. Aryansh Sharma ends up chipping it wide of mid on. Tristan Stubbs over there stumbles due to a bit of greasy outfield as the ball lands short. He fires in a direct hit at the bowler's end but the batter is in.

Back of a length, over off and at almost 150 kph. Sharma rocks back and toe-ends it down to mid on.

Pitched up, full and around off, driven straight to the cover fielder.

FOUR! Sharma gets it through and UAE are off to a flier. A scrambled-seam delivery, relatively full and outside off. Aryansh Sharma throws the hands at it and slices it to the left of Jason Smith at square covers, and the ball rolls away to the fence.

Nortje begins with a full ball, bowls it fast and on off stump, Aryansh Sharma pushes it out to mid off.

UAE are off to a flying start in New Delhi. 24 runs from the last 2 overs. And here comes Anrich Nortje, replacing Kwena Maphaka.

DROPPED! A difficult chance running back but one would expect Quinton de Kock to take it. KG goes short and angles the ball back into the batter. Aryansh Sharma gets cramped for room as he looks to pull and gets a top edge that sails towards short fine leg. The keeper calls for it and runs after the swirling ball but ends up spilling it. They get a single and that's more misery for Rabada. 14 off the over.

Back of a length, following the batter as Waseem shuffles leg side. Waseem heaves it over mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on the stumps, nipping away a bit. Muhammad Waseem drills it hard, but straight to mid off.

FOUR! Helped away! An ordinary ball by Rabada. Goes full and on the pads, with short fine leg up in the ring. Waseem whips it off the inner half, and the ball races past the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Good shot! Digs in a short one outside off at 141.7 kph, and Muhammad Waseem stands tall to flat-bat it straight back down the ground for another boundary.

FOUR! Hammered away by Waseem. On a fullish length and around off, looking for some swing. Waseem hits through the line and launches it over mid off for a boundary.

An appeal for LBW, turned down. Aiden Markram has taken the review, though. Good-length delivery, around leg and swings back in. Aryansh Sharma plays all around it and misses the flick, getting pinged on the pads. The third umpire has a look at it but Ball Tracking confirms that the ball is pitching outside leg stump. NOT OUT!

WIDE! Swing again but down the leg side again as well. Full and darted down the leg side by Maphaka for a third wide in the over.

On a hard length over middle, Sharma hops up a bit and blocks it off.

Good length, slanted across off, Waseem keeps the bat face open and glides it to the left of backward point for a single.

A quick bumper, dug in over middle and leg, Waseem does well to duck under it.

Length ball, straighter in line, tucked away between square leg and mid-wicket for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Maphaka gets his line right this time but overpitches and Muhammad Waseem is off the mark in style. Too full and on off, Waseem hangs back and slams it to the left of the bowler for a boundary downtown.

WIDE! And again! Full and swinging down leg, Waseem fails to flick it away.

WIDE! A loosener to begin with from Kwena Maphaka. Pitched up fuller and down leg, swinging in even more. Quinton de Kock does well to collect it down to his left.

A decent bit of movement for Rabada in the opening over. Several plays and misses and a top edge. Tidy start for the Proteas. Kwena Maphaka will operate from the opposite end.

Five dots and a streaky six off the first over. Banged in short and wide outside off, Aryansh Sharma reaches out to cut but his feet go nowhere and the ball goes through to the keeper. UAE are 6/0 after one.

Similar to the very first delivery. Slightly short and outside off, nibbling away, Sharma awkwardly tries to ramp and gets beaten.

Much fuller and attacking the stumps, Sharma shows a bit of respect to this ball and blocks it off.

SIX! Not where he intended that to go, but Aryansh Sharma will take it. Good-length delivery outside off, swinging away, Sharma has a hoick across the line and gets a thick top edge that flies over deep third for a maximum. UAE are underway now.

Oh, good carry again. Dug in shorter and over middle, Sharma is taken aback by the length and swings wildly but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Swing right away! Rabada lands it short of a good length and bowls it outside off, the ball shapes away and Aryansh Sharma ends up having a poke at it. He misses and the ball carries through nicely to Quinton de Kock.

Right. Done and dusted with all the pre-match formalities. It is time to get down to real business in the Indian capital city. The two umpires are already out in the middle. Aiden Markram gathers his Proteas in a huddle and fires them up with a few words of motivation before they fan out and take their positions on the field. Out walk the opening pair of the UAE - Aryansh Sharma and skipper Muhammad Waseem. Kagiso Rabada has the new ball and is raring to go. Sharma will take the strike. A slip in place. Here we go!

The giant flags of both countries are unfurled in the middle. Now, the players of the two teams and the match officials walk out for the national anthems. It will be UAE's first, followed by that of South Africa's.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Ward is pitchside. Straightaway points out that it is pretty overcast and is cooler compared to the other games. Also says that as and when the sun comes out, the temperatures will rise. Goes on to inform that this pitch is being used for the third time in the tournament so far. About the dimensions, he points that the square boundaries measure 66 meters and 59 meters, with the straight hit being 72 meters. Shaun Pollock joins in and observes that the weather feels a bit English county type. He points out that it still feels quite cold to the touch, suggesting the moisture hasn’t really evaporated, something that’s been evident in previous games here. Adds that with limited sunshine expected today, the moisture is likely to stay, meaning early assistance for the seamers. He also references India’s 209 at this venue, noting it once looked like it was heading towards 250 before the spinners pulled things back. Then points out that this venue has had the least amount of turn, just 1.6 degrees, as compared to the other venues for this World Cup. Initially, he feels it is going to be a bit tacky and there might be good movement for the fast bowlers.

The skipper of United Arab Emirates - Muhammad Waseem says that they would have bowled first as well but the pitch looks good and it was just the weather that was prompting them to bowl first. Informs that they have two changes in the playing XI. Mentions that there are plenty of left-handers in the opposition and hence, they have made two changes with an off-spinner and a leggie coming in. Adds that they have learned a lot from this tournament and will try to play their best cricket against another Test-playing nation.

The captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram says there is a bit of rain around with a bit of moisture, so he is hopeful that they can get something out of it. Is not sure about how much rain fell last night and how much water was applied. Also, details that it looks pretty tacky. Expects that there seamers will create impact upfront and then the spinners might potentially get a bit of hold in the wicket. On the team changes, he informs that they have four changes for this match. Says Jason Smith, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka and Anrich Nortje come into the XI. About the momentum ahead of the Super Eights, Markram saying it all comes down to perspective. He adds that success usually hinges on a collective squad effort, and sees this as a valuable chance to give those who haven’t featured to get some much-needed game time. Is hopeful that they will get a good start.

United Arab Emirates (Playing XI) - Aryansh Sharma (WK), Muhammad Waseem (C), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haider, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar (In for Harshit Kaushik), Muhammad Farooq (In for Simranjeet Singh), Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, and Muhammad Jawadullah.

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

TOSS - It is toss time in Delhi. Aiden Markram and Muhammad Waseem are out in the middle. Aiden spins while Waseem calls incorrectly. South Africa opt to BOWL first.

UAE looking to halt the Protea charge - United Arab Emirates have found themselves in a group which features so much talent and it was always going to be really difficult for them to make it out of it as one of the top two sides. However, they have some glimpses of how far their talent pool has come. Junaid Siddique has already taken a five-fer in the competition and Sohaib Khan has played two amazing knocks back-to-back. Muhammad Waseem and co will be looking to push the Proteas to the limit and sign off in style. Right then, a morning start in Delhi and we have seen the toss proving to be crucial in such conditions. There has been some rain around and there will be a bit of moisture early on but the pitch should be excellent for batting. Stay tuned for the toss and teams.

Proteas looking for a clean sweep - Group D was dubbed as the group of death ahead of the start of the competition as it featured one finalist and one semifinalist from the last edition to go along with the likes of New Zealand. However, South Africa have come out trumps, putting in a couple of clinical performances alongside that gut-wrenching win in the second Super Over against Afghanistan. They will now look to finish the group stage with 4 wins out of 4 and head into the Super 8s, brimming with confidence. There are a couple of small tweaks needed, especially in their bowling, which they will feel is necessary to really challenge for the title once again.

Welcome, folks! Hello and a warm welcome to one and all. It is the start of yet another triple header day in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and action will kick off with a clash between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in Delhi. We have seen seven teams already qualify for the Super 8s and there's just one spot remaining, which will be confirmed later on today, for now the Proteas will look to continue their dominance in Group D.

... MATCH DAY ...

Match intro - The league stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is nearing its finish line, with just a handful of games left to shape the final picture. Group D, often labelled the group of death, brings together the in-form South Africa and a spirited United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. With South Africa already qualified for the Super Eights, and this being their last league fixture, they will be keen to finish strong and go into the next stage with a positive momentum and spotless record. For the UAE, it is about testing themselves against a stronger Test-playing nation, to gain valuable experience at the biggest stage. The journeys so far - South Africa will use this game as a polishing ground to get everything in sync before the real challenge begins. They have found ways to win in every possible fashion this league stage, be it a nail-biting finish, or a complete all-around performance. Or be it batting first or bowling first. And that double Super Over win against Afghanistan already has earned the title of a T20 World Cup classic, one that will be talked about for a long time. Now, they are coming off a very commanding win over New Zealand. UAE, meanwhile, have shown they are not here just to make up the numbers. Barring the 10-wicket loss to New Zealand, they have played a fearless brand of cricket. A commanding win over Canada showcased their ability, while they ended up giving a real scare to Afghanistan, pushing them right to the edge before falling just short of pulling off a memorable win. The three pillars of power - South Africa are operating on a different tangent altogether, and it shows in the way their engine room is humming like a well oiled machine. With the bat, the bulk of their success has been driven by the top order. Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and skipper Aiden Markram have all piled on the runs, each crossing the three-figure mark in the tournament. Markram, in particular, is riding a serious wave of form, coming off one of the finest knocks of his T20I career. His 86 was the catalyst behind South Africa blowing the Blackcaps aside with authority, whereas de Kock and Rickelton have both notched up a fifty each in this tournament, keeping the top order ticking and laying down solid platforms for the rest to build on. However, with just 50 runs in three matches and two 20-plus scores, Dewald Brevis is averaging 16.66 at a strike rate of 119.04, numbers that feel well below the standards you would associate with a player of his calibre. He is long overdue for a more responsible, composed knock, rather than another start thrown away. Speed guns in full flow - Pace and South Africa feel like a match made in heaven. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen have been absolutely ruthless, whether it is with the new ball or at the death. Ngidi, in particular, has led the charge with the ball, topping the wicket charts for his side with eight scalps, including a four for and a three for. He has mixed up his pace with perfect execution. Jansen, meanwhile, would have taken a massive boost in confidence from his four-wicket haul against a quality New Zealand lineup. Rabada, meanwhile, has been a touch uncharacteristically underwhelming. Although he signed off with an economy of 6.75 in the last game, he has managed just nine wickets in his last ten T20Is. South Africa would certainly want their most prolific bowler to step up and better that tally this time around. One man show with the ball - Having lost both their matches while defending totals, UAE will be keen to tighten things up in the death overs, especially with the ball. Junaid Siddique has stood a league apart from the rest of the attack, highlighted by his brilliant 5/35 against Canada. Even against Afghanistan, he picked up a couple of crucial wickets to keep his side in the contest till the very end. However, the drop off after him remains a concern, with the rest of the bowling unit struggling to maintain the same level of control and penetration. Especially their spinners, including their frontline spinner Haider Ali, have been wicketless across three matches so far. Building blocks amid inconsistency - Batting-wise, it has been a case of feast or famine for captain Muhammad Waseem, with a 66 against New Zealand sandwiched between two low scores. In the middle order, Alishan Sharafu has provided a steady presence, while Sohaib Khan's fluent 68 against Afghanistan offered a glimpse of his potential. For UAE, though, it ultimately boils down to how well they handle pressure situations against the quality bowling and batting units of the Test-playing nations. Team form (Last 5 T20Is, recent result first) SOUTH AFRICA - WWWLL | UAE - LWLLL. What to expect? New Delhi has hosted four matches so far in this T20 World Cup, and the trend has been quite clear. In three of those games, the team chasing has come out on top, underlining how manageable targets have been at this venue. Apart from India’s 209 against Namibia in the only night game here, the remaining first innings totals have largely hovered in the 150 to 160 range, scores that have been chased down with relative ease. The pitch has generally played in favour of the batters. Despite those middling totals, it has not been overly challenging, with only one team being bowled out so far, suggesting there is enough in it for batters to trust their strokes. With these two teams set to face off for the first time in this format, expect an exciting contest in the capital city.