The Narendra Modi Stadium bore witness to a clinical exhibition of T20 cricket on February 09, 2026, as South Africa dismantled Canada by 57 runs in their Group D clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. While the Proteas’ batters set the stage with a towering total, it was a ferocious opening spell from Good luck that truly broke the Canadian spirit, sending fans into a frenzy and solidifying South Africa’s dominance in the tournament.

Aiden Markram and South African middle-order fireworks set a massive target Canada

Opting to assert authority early, South Africa’s top order came out firing. The Powerplay was a masterclass in aggressive accumulation, as Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock raced to 65/0 within the first six overs. Markram was particularly devastating, reaching a 28-ball half-century characterized by elegant drives and brutal pulls. Despite losing De Kock for 25, the momentum never wavered.

Ryan Rickelton added a brisk 33, but the real sting came in the final overs. Although Canada’s Ansh Patel managed a brave triple-strike to remove Markram (59), Rickelton, and Dewald Brevis in quick succession, he couldn’t stem the tide of the “Killer Miller” show. David Miller (39 off 23) and Tristan Stubbs (34 off 19) combined for an unbeaten 75-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Their late-inning onslaught, aided by a slow over-rate penalty against Canada in the final over, propelled South Africa to a massive 213/4.

Lungi Ngidi’s four-wicket haul takes South Africa to an emphatic win in T20 World Cup 2026

The Canadian chase was effectively over before it began, thanks to a masterclass in seam bowling from Ngidi. Charging in under the lights, Ngidi struck with the very first ball of the innings, removing Canadian captain Dilpreet Bajwa for a golden duck. He didn’t stop there; in a frantic opening burst, Ngidi dismantled the top order, claiming Yuvraj Samra and Nicholas Kirton to leave Canada reeling at 26/3 within three overs.

While Navneet Dhaliwal played a lone hand of defiance, scoring a gritty 64 off 49 balls, he found little support at the other end. Ngidi returned to provide the finishing touch to his spell, dismissing Harsh Thacker to finish with stellar figures of 4/31.

Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada provided excellent support, ensuring Canada never gained the required run-rate momentum. This victory sends a loud message to the rest of Group D: the Proteas possess both the batting depth to post 200+ scores and a bowling spearhead in Ngidi capable of winning matches in the first six balls.

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