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NEW DELHI: Corbin Bosch delivered a career-defining spell before South Africa’s power-packed top order sealed a commanding six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in their Group D clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday.
South Africa chased down a modest target of 123 in just 13.2 overs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, finishing on 123 for four to claim two points.
The foundation for the comfortable win was laid by Bosch, who returned figures of three for 12 in his four overs, strangling the UAE innings at key moments after captain Aiden Markram opted to field first.
UAE made a brisk start with skipper Muhammad Waseem striking 22 off 12 balls, including four boundaries, to lift his side to 38 inside five overs. But George Linde trapped Waseem lbw and Bosch struck soon after to remove Aryansh Sharma as South Africa tightened their grip.
Alishan Sharafu anchored the innings with a patient 45 off 38 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six but he lacked sustained support as wickets fell at regular intervals. Anrich Nortje dismissed Sharafu and Syed Haider while Bosch returned at the death to claim two more scalps, including Muhammad Arfan, to cap an incisive spell.
UAE closed on 122 for six, their total boosted by 13 extras but hampered by a middle-order slowdown that saw them manage just 40 runs between overs 7 and 15.
South Africa’s chase began in explosive fashion. Markram blazed 28 off just 11 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and a six to bring up 50 inside the sixth over. Though he fell to Haider Ali at the end of the powerplay, the momentum firmly favoured the Proteas.
Quinton de Kock’s brief stay ended for 14 but Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis combined to extinguish any lingering UAE hopes. Rickelton struck three fours and two sixes in a fluent 30 off 16 balls while Brevis mixed power and placement in a 25-ball 36 that included three towering sixes.
The pair added 49 runs in quick time, pushing South Africa past 100 in the 11th over. Rickelton fell attempting another big hit and Brevis followed shortly after but Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith calmly steered the side home with 40 balls to spare.
Though UAE bowlers Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Arfan and Muhammad Farooq picked up a wicket each, they were unable to stem the flow of runs on a surface that rewarded positive stroke-play.
The win handed South Africa two points and a healthy net run-rate boost while UAE were left searching for answers after a disciplined bowling effort from their opponents exposed frailties in both their batting tempo and defensive plans.
This was the fourth successive win from South Africa and they topped Group D with eight points, followed by New Zealand who have finished with six points and are also in the Super Eights.
Summarised Scores:
United Arab Emirates 122/6 (20 overs) – Alishan Sharafu 45 (38); Corbin Bosch 3-12
South Africa 123/4 (13.2 overs) – Dewald Brevis 36 (25), Ryan Rickelton 30 (16); Haider Ali 1-33
Result: South Africa won by 6 wickets (with 40 balls remaining)
