A crucial late partnership between Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd powered West Indies to a competitive total of 176 runs against South Africa in their second Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
Batting first, West Indies scored 176-8 in their allotted 20 overs, despite a shaky start. Openers Brandon King and skipper Shai Hope began aggressively, putting runs on the board with boundaries flowing freely.
The Proteas found an opening when Hope was dismissed for 16 off six balls, which included a four and two sixes, with Kagiso Rabada taking the wicket and ending the 29-run opening stand.
Shimron Hetmyer soon followed, falling cheaply for two off three deliveries, also to Rabada, leaving the West Indies struggling at 31-2 in 2.5 overs.
South Africa further seized the momentum as Lungi Ngidi claimed two more wickets, dismissing King for 21 off 11 balls, including five fours, and Roston Chase for two off two deliveries.
Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell attempted to stabilise the innings, but Rutherford fell for 12 off 10 balls, including a six, to Corbin Bosch, leaving the team at 60-5 in 6.3 overs.
Powell fell for nine off 11 balls, while Matthew Forde added 11 before falling to Bosch’s second wicket.
Holder and Shepherd then batted aggressively, gradually taking the team past the 100-run mark. The pair put together an 89-run partnership that revived the West Indies’ innings.
Holder was eventually run out after a brilliant 49 off 31 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes.
Shepherd carried the innings to the finish, hitting a four to reach his maiden T20I fifty and remaining unbeaten on 52 off 37 balls, with three fours and four sixes, guiding West Indies to a challenging total.
