New Zealand’s Tim Seifert (R) and Finn Allen bump their fists throughout the 2026 ICC Males’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between New Zealand and South Africa on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 14, 2026. — AFP
After being invited to bat, New Zealand set a 176-run goal for South Africa within the twenty fourth group match of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
A collective batting effort helped New Zealand accumulate a formidable whole in opposition to South Africa regardless of Marco Jansen’s four-wicket haul.
The Blackcaps completed at 175/7 of their 20 overs, courtesy of a 74-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell.
The Blackcaps received off to a spirited begin as their in-form opening pair of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert raised 33 runs in 3.2 overs earlier than Jansen gave South Africa their first breakthrough by dismissing the latter, who made 13 off 9 deliveries with the assistance of 1 six and a 4.
Allen then shared a quick 24-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (13) earlier than each fell sufferer to Jansen within the sixth over, bringing the full right down to 58/3.
The appropriate-handed opener remained a notable run-getter for New Zealand, scoring a 17-ball 31, laced with 4 fours and two sixes.
New Zealand then suffered one other setback within the subsequent over when Keshav Maharaj cleaned up Glenn Phillips (one) and thus slipped additional to 64/4.
Chapman remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with a 26-ball 48, studded with six fours and two sixes, whereas Mitchell made 32 off 24 deliveries, comprising two fours and a six.
Skilled all-rounder James Neesham then added worthwhile runs on the backend with an unbeaten 23-run cameo, coming off 15 deliveries and that includes three boundaries.
Jansen was the choose of the bowlers for South Africa, taking 4 wickets for 40 runs in his 4 overs, whereas Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Maharaj made one scalp apiece.
