ZIM vs SA Live Cricket Score: Zimbabwe are already eliminated while South Africa are the only unbeaten team in the tournament. Zimbabwe (ZIM) vs South Africa (SA) T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Match: Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza’s heroics with the bat and ball — he first scored a 43-ball, 73 with the bat despite having a hairline fracture on his left hand index finger before claiming three South African wickets — went in vain as the Proteas defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets in a Super 8 clash. South Africa thus enter the semi-final stage of the T20 World Cup as the only team not to lose.
Thanks to Raza’s early breakthroughs in his first two overs, Zimbabwe had reduced the Proteas to 43/3 in six overs as they defended 154 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.
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Earlier, Zimbabwe opted to bat first after winning the toss in what is essentially a dead rubber. The game pits the T20 World Cup 2026’s only unbeaten team, South Africa, against the event’s fairytale story, Zimbabwe, in a Super 8 clash. South Africa are already through to the semi-finals, while Zimbabwe are headed home. But the final game at Arun Jaitley Stadium offers the Zimbabwe team a chance to leave on a winning note. Zimbabwe are already the tournament’s giant slayers, after defeating Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stage.
For South Africa too, this game offers the chance to get the one thing that has not been clicking for them so far: Kagiso Rabada, the leader of their bowling department, is yet to hit form even though South Africa’s bowling attack has been as much a strength for them thus far as their power-packed batting lineup. Meanwhile, for Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett, who has been dismissed just once in five innings in the tournament, is one of the top scorers in T20 World Cup 2026 and has staked a claim to be the Player of the Tournament.
Squads:
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Jason Smith
Zimbabwe Squad: Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza(c), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Graeme Cremer, Wellington Masakadza, Ben Curran, Clive Madande
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Sikandar Raza's efforts with the bat, ball and his captaincy are in vain as South Africa defeat Zimbabwe by five wickets.
Not as clinical as you would expect from the Proteas: they had slumped to 101/5 at one stage before George Linde (30) and Tristan Stubbs (21) took them home.
South Africa are still unbeaten, the only side to remain without a defeat at the ongoing T20 World Cup.
South Africa, who have slowed down the run rate to a crawl with just two boundaries in five overs! But they're on the cusp of victory here at Delhi.
They need seven runs off the final three overs.
A quieter over than the previous ones which were quiet overs yielding six runs each. Just three runs from that 15th over.
But South Africa won't mind. they need just 25 runs from 30 balls now. They're poised to make it to the semis without losing a single game.
They were pushed closed to a loss by Afghanistan in the group stages where they survived two Super Overs to previal. Today too, there was a phase where Zimbabwe had reduced them to 101/5 where it looked like a couple more wickets would complete change the complexion of this game.
Linde and Stubbs out in the middle after South Africa have uncharacteristically thrown away wickets in a game they should have won easily.
The target is within touching distance now, just need 34 runs from 42 balls.
So they won't mind six-run overs such as this one.
SIKANDAR RAZA!!! WHAT A GAME FOR THE ZIMBABWE SKIPPER.
Raza takes his third wicket after a 43-ball 73 with the bat! He has 3/27 and two more balls left today!
Raza manages to put the in-form Dewald Brevis off balance with a carrom ball and gets a top edge that flies high in to the sky. And once again it's Ryan Burl that claims a catch in some style!
Dewald Brevis c Burl b Sikandar Raza 42 (18b 2x4 4x6) SR: 233.33
South Africa fall to 101/5
After a 50-run partnership for the 4th wicket, David Miller departs with an easy catch to short third. He tried to run it down to the third man boundary, instead took a top edge which went straight into the palms of the fielder.
South Africa are 93/4 in chase of 154 runs.
David Miller c Myers b Muzarabani 22 (16b 2x4 2x6) SR: 137.5
After the wicket of Rickleton, Dewald Brevis and David Miller have taken control of this chase and are hoisting balls to the stands for kicks!
The duo have stitched a 50-run partnership off 23 balls as the halfway mark of the innings nears. Brewis is on 35 off 15 balls. Miller is on 22 off 14 balls.
What is happening to South Africa! Now Ryan Rickleton departs for 31 off 22 balls after top edging a short ball to deep midwicket. Ryan Burl over ran the ball, but dived to take a catch at the ropes.
Ryan Rickelton c Burl b Evans 31 (22b 0x4 4x6) SR: 140.9
South Africa are 43/3
Ryan Rickleton took a hit to the hit in the fourth over which got us a lengthy delay for concussion protocol. But after he is deemed fit to continue, he faces off against the wrecker-in-chief Sikandar Raza. After surviving the first ball, Rickleton smashes the second ball over long on for a maximum.
A very circumspect innings from South Africa today. Despite the six. just nine runs from that over.
South Africa are 30/2 after 5 overs.
What a day Sikandar Raza is having! After a 43-ball 73 to singlehanded prop up the Zimbabwe innings with the bat, the captain picks up two South Africa wickets in two overs! First he sent De Kock home on a duck, and then rocks the stumps of Markram! WHAT A BALL TO MARKRAM! COMPLETELY FLUMMOXED HIM!
Aiden Markram b Sikandar Raza 4 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 80
South Africa are 14/2 after 2.5 overs
GONE!! Instant drama as South Africa's chase starts with a wicket on the third ball! Quinton De Kock departs for 0 after edging the ball into the gloves of the keeper. Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe's captain and star with the bat, also gets a wicket in his first over!
South Africa end the first over with a score of 4/1 in chase of 154
A handy innings at the end from Clive Madande, who scores 26 runs in his 20 balls with three boundaries. That was needed after Sikandar Raza departed for 73, after he had got to his half century off 29 balls.
South Africa need to chase 154 runs to keep their unbeaten record intact
On the first ball of his 18th over, Lungi Ngidi bowls a full toss at Evans that he tries to muscle into the stands, but can only get a top edge. The ball goes to the fielder at deep backward square who catches it with ease. It's given out, but there's a review for a no ball. AND IT IS A NO BALL!
three balls later, Evans does manage to connect properly and the ball flies for a maximum!
After 19 overs, Zimbabwe are 143/6
Captain Sikandar Raza departs after a 73-run blitz from 43 balls. Right after he had hit Maphaka for a six! A speeding ball on his pads, gets Raza tangled up, and takes a top edge into the air.
A big wicket for South Africa as they send home the Zimbabwe captain, who is the only batter to get going today.
ZIM at 126/6 after 17 overs
What an innings from skipper Sikandar Raza, who's guided the Zimbabwe side past the 100-run mark in the 14th over.
50 up for Sikandar Raza who gets to the 50-run mark in just 29 balls.
Joint fastest half century against South Africa in T20Is and comes at a time when half the Zimbabwe side are back in the hut with the team not even past the 100-run mark!
He's taken the attack to the Proteas, even has wickets have fallen regularly at the other end.
This is Raza's 18th score of fifty or more in T20Is.
Another wicket falls for Zimbabwe as they lose half their side. Corbin Bosch rattles the stumps after slipping in the gap between Munyonga's bat and his pads. Sikandar Raza is knocking on the doors of a half century, but the batters at the other end keep departing.
Tony Munyonga b Bosch 2 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 40
ZIM are 87/5 in the 12th over
Another wicket gone! Lungi Ngidi gets a wicket at last in this game, and it has taken him just 8 balls to get a breakthrough! He traps Ryan Burl leg before. A review follows, but it's wasted. Zimbabwe are down to 82/4 after 10.2 overs
Ryan Burl lbw b Ngidi 5 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram hands himself the ball and it's an interesting one! On the second ball there's a loud shout for LBW after Raza tried to paddle sweep (and misses!) The appeal is turned down by the third umpire after looking at the ball's trajectory. But Raza hits back by by smashing a six off the over and then, on the next ball, a sweep shot is misfielded by the young South African fielder who is caught in three minds between catching the ball, fielding it and getting out of harm's way. Four!
11 runs from the over.
Zim are 80/3 after 10 overs
Dion Myers departs after trying to attack Linde's spin but top edging the ball to the safe hands of Brevis, who runs in and takes a clean catch in the mid wicket region.
A 38-run partnership off 24 balls comes to an end.
Dion Myers c Brevis b Linde 11 (16b 1x4 0x6) SR: 68.75
ZIM are 66/3 after 8.2 overs
Sikandar Raza and Dion Myers have guided Zimbabwe past the 50-run mark and it has taken them 7 overs to do so. The fall of Bennett's wicket has taken some sting out of their batting, but captain Raza has taken over the big-hitting responsibilities.
George Linde has a quiet second over after conceding 13 runs in the first over of the day.
After 7 overs, ZIM are 51/2
The Zimbabwe team may have lost their biggest calling card with the bat, but skipper Sikandar Raza is not in the mood to ease up. Corbin Bosch is handed the ball for the final ball of the powerplay, and Raza dispatches the first ball to the ropes for a four. And then, on the second ball, slaps the ball to the leg side for a maximum! For good measure, Raza drives the final ball to the ropes for another boundary.
A good over for Zimbabwe right after the loss of Brian Bennett!
16 runs from the over. 16 runs for Raza off just 8 balls!
After 6 overs, Zimbabwe are 45/2
South Africa have the one wicket they would have desperately needed! Brian Bennett sends a ball from new bowler Anrich Nortje to the fielder at mid off!
Brian Bennett c Markram b Nortje 15 (13b 1x4 1x6) SR: 115.38
ZIM 28/2 in 4.3 overs (They end the 5th over at 29/2)
Bennett is one of the top stars of the T20 World Cup with the bat. Before today's game, he was second in the top run-scorers’ list with 277 runs (while South Africa’s Aiden Markram is third with 264). On the list of batters with the best batting average, Bennett is second on the charts with average of 277 (with South Africa’s David Miller second with 146).
So South Africa keeping the faith with Maphaka, who gives away just a run in first first four balls. Then Bennett almost sends a ball to the ropes.
Still a good over, just four runs in the fourth over. Zimbabwe need an acceleration now with just two more overs left in the powerplay.
After 4 overs, ZIM are 28/1
The disdain with which Bennett slapped away Lungi Ngidi's second ball of the pacer's over! Just past deep midwicket! SMOOTH, YET DEVASTATING!
Ngidi responds with a fielding change and a change of pace in subsequent balls.
This promises to be a good clash: the tournament's leading light with the bat against a pacer at the peak of his powers.
After 3 overs, ZIM are 24/1
GONE! Zimbabwe lose their 1st wicket as Tadiwanashe Marumani's stumps are rattled by Kwena Maphaka on his third delivery. Missed the line completely and the woodwork is up in the air!
Zimbabwe are 14/1 after 1.2 overs after the wicket.
Tadiwanashe Marumani b Maphaka 7 (7b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100
And the new batter in, Myers, faces three trial-by-fire balls from Maphaka, one of which almost clipped the bails on its way to the keeper. ON the final ball, Myers responds: with a straight drive that races to the ropes past the bowler.
After 2 overs, ZIM are 18/1
First ball boundary for Zimbabwe as Marumani re-directs a ball to his pads to the ropes on the legside. And then, two balls later, he tries a one-handed reverse sweep --- Yes! you heard that right! --- to slap the ball away. He misses, the ball hits his arm and then thuds into his helmet. If that had come off, would have been the shot of the event. A one-handed reverse sweep.
On the next ball, he plays a more conservative sweep which almost reached the ropes.
Then, on his first ball, Bennett sends a message to South Africa that they mean business with a towering six!
After one over, ZIM are 13/0
Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani will open. George Linde will be bowling the first over of this contest for the Proteas.
What Aiden Markram said at the toss: "We would have batted first as well, we've been chasing well and wanted to see how we go batting first. The drive is to continue doing what we've been doing well - three changes for us: Kewna Maphaka is in, Anrich Nortje and George Linde are in. They've been working behind the scenes and deserve some game time. This also gives us a chance to see them in action if any injuries occur going forward."
What Sikandar Raza said at the toss: "We will bat first, a day game and unfortunately with the injuries we have, it suits our gameplan. Richard Ngarava misses out with a lowerback injury. We've seen the reality, we have to see how we can improve and become a mid-table team in 18 months time."
Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani
South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi
Coupler of changes for Zimbabwe while South Africa have made three changes to their side.
Richard Ngarava and Tashinga Musekiwa are struggling. So Zimbabwe have brought back Wellington Masakadsa and Graeme Cremer.
Meanwhile, Three changes for SA, with Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka and George Linde in the XI in place of Kasigo Rabada, Marcos Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.
So a surprise there? Sikandar Raza wins the toss and opts to bat first. South Africa's Aiden Markram says he too would have opted to bat first if they had won.
This goes against the trend here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium: where of the five games that have played out at Delhi, only one time has a team chosen to bat first, while four other captains have chosen to field first.
Teams winning the toss have usually opted to field first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi at the ongoing T20 World Cup. In fact, of the five games that have played out at Delhi, only one time has a team chosen to bat first, while four other captains have chosen to field first.
The average 1st innings score on this pitch is 159.
Team batting first has won once while four wins have come to the team chasing.
Why South African pacers are ruling the roost in the ongoing T20 World Cup
Most wickets: 37
Best average: 18.5
Best Economy rate: 7.5
(And pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is yet to hit full stride)
The last time Zimbabwe beat South Africa was 26 years ago. In T20Is the two teams have faced off in eight games, with seven games going in favour of Zimbabwe and one ending as a no result.
Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett is one of the top stars of the T20 World Cup with the bat. He currently finds himself second in the top run-scorers' list with 277 runs (while South Africa's Aiden Markram is third with 264). ON the list of batters with the best batting average, Bennett is second on the charts with average of 277 (with South Africa's David Miller second with 146).
South Africa remain the only unbeaten side in the tournament. The closest any team came to defeating them was when the Proteas needed a double Super Over to defeat them. Here's how the event has panned out for them:
Group Stage
South Africa beat Canada by 57 runs
Afghanistan tied with South Africa (South Africa won the 2nd Super Over by 4 runs)
South Africa beat New Zealand by 7 wickets
South Africa beat United Arab Emirates by 6 wickets
Super 8
South Africa beat India by 76 runs
South Africa beat West Indies by 9 wickets
This is how Zimbabwe have fared at the ongoing T20 World Cup
Group stage
Zimbabwe beat Oman by 8 wickets
Zimbabwe beat Australia by 23 runs
Match Abandoned
Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets
Super 8 stage
West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 107 runs
India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs
Zimbabwe may already be eliminated from the running to make it to the semi-final. But don't count them out from effecting one final takedown of a team which is the heavy favourite. They have already done so twice in the tournament, defeating tournament favourites Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka on the way to emerging as the giant killers of the group stages.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Zimbabwe vs South Africa Super 8 game from the T20 World Cup
South Africa’s bowling attack has been as much a strength for them thus far in the 2026 T20 World Cup as their power-packed batting lineup. Peculiarly, though, Kagiso Rabada, the leader of their bowling department and widely considered among the best pacers of his generation, hasn’t exactly hit his stride thus far in the tournament.
The 30-year-old isn’t really too worried about it though, and is finding happiness in the fact that the Proteas are doing well and particularly that fellow pacer Lungi Ngidi has hit the races.
“That’s just the game of cricket,” Rabada said according to Reuters when reminded that four catches have gone down off his bowling in the tournament. “How many times does it actually go for you, and how many times does it not? More often than not it goes for you. Unfortunately, now it hasn’t been, but the most important thing is that we’ve been winning.”
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