South Africa edged the West Indies by three wickets in a rain-affected Super Eights match on Monday, securing their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals and eliminating the hosts.
Chasing a revised target of 123 off 17 overs, South Africa faltered to 110-7 as Roston Chase claimed three wickets. However, Marco Jansen’s six off the first ball of the final over ensured South Africa reached 124-7, sealing their victory.
Man of the match Tabraiz Shamsi took 3-27 after South Africa won the toss and limited the West Indies to 135-8 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
All-rounder Chase top-scored with 52, contributing to an 81-run third-wicket partnership with Kyle Mayers (35 off 34 balls). Chase also kept West Indies in the game with his off-spin, taking 3-12.
Jansen’s unbeaten 21 saw the Proteas to victory with a final six off Obed McCoy.
“The last time I played here I went for 50 runs and there was a lot of chatter going around,” Shamsi said. “I was happy to come back and perform my role, but credit as well to the guys who bowled before me because they set it up beautifully.”
Shamsi, brought in for seamer Ottneil Baartman, received strong support from fellow slow bowlers Keshav Maharaj (1-24) and captain Aiden Markram (1-28).
Chase, dropped on 11 by Anrich Nortje, capitalized on his luck, hitting two sixes and three fours. His partnership with Mayers helped the hosts recover after falling to 5-2 in the second over.
Once Shamsi removed Mayers with a catch at deep cover, a steady stream of wickets helped South Africa restrict the West Indies. Nortje redeemed his earlier error with a direct hit to run out the dangerous Andre Russell, who had scored 15 off nine balls, including two sixes.
