NEW DELHI: Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with a flamboyant half-century as South Africa registered a comprehensive 57-run win over Canada in their opening Group D T20 World Cup match on Monday.

Sent in to bat, Markram smashed 10 fours and a six on his way to 59 off 32 balls. Ryan Rickelton (33), Quinton de Kock (25), Tristan Stubbs (34), and David Miller (39) also contributed as South Africa posted a formidable 213 for 4 after being asked to take first strike.

Canada Struggle in Chase

In reply, Canada managed just 156 for 8 in their 20 overs, with Navneet Dhaliwal (64) standing out as their top scorer.

Canada had a shaky start, losing skipper Dilpreet Bajwa on the very first ball to Lungi Ngidi (4/31), edged behind to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.

Dhaliwal and Yuvraj Samra added 17 runs in the first two overs before two quick wickets fell. Ngidi then struck twice in the third over, removing Samra and Kirton to leave Canada struggling at 26 for 3 in just 3 overs.

Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker (33 off 29) shared a 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket to steady Canada. However, left-arm pacer Marco Jansen (2/30) claimed two quick wickets in the 18th over, making the chase too steep as Canada fell short at 156-8.

Explosive South African Batting

Earlier, Markram opened the floodgates with three boundaries off Dilon Heyliger in the second over. Quinton de Kock followed, smashing Saad Bin Zafar for two consecutive fours over long-off.

The duo continued aggressively, stitching 70 runs for the opening stand in just 6.5 overs. South Africa were dealt the first blow when De Kock was cleaned up by Bajwa.

Markram continued his ominous form, reaching his fifty with a four off Bajwa in just 28 balls. Rickelton impressed with three fours and a six during his 21-ball knock. Markram was eventually dismissed by left-arm spinner Ansh Patel, caught at long-on by Heyliger, followed shortly by Rickelton, who fell to Thaker. Dewald Brevis failed to make an impact, holed out at mid-off by Kirton.

Late Acceleration Seals Victory

Towards the end, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs accelerated the innings with an unbeaten 75-run fifth-wicket partnership in just 37 balls. Miller was particularly destructive, smashing sixes at will.

For Canada, left-arm spinner Ansh Patel was the standout bowler with figures of 3/31. South Africa’s combination of explosive batting and disciplined bowling ensured a comfortable 57-run victory to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign.

(With PTI Inputs)