South Africa took a giant leap toward the T20 World Cup semi-finals after a dominant nine-wicket win over the high-flying West Indies on Thursday.
After West Indies reached 176-8, a whirlwind 95-run opening partnership between captain Aiden Markram (82 not out) and Quinton de Kock (47) in eight overs made sure the Proteas made short work of the chase.
Ryan Rickelton added 45 not out and South Africa motored to 177-1 in 16.1 overs to stretch their unbeaten record in the tournament to six games.
"Whether I'm captain or not, opening is a responsibility... we try to make sure the team gets off to a good start especially on wickets like this and hope to continue this," Markram said.
South Africa could top Group 1 in the Super 8 if they beat Zimbabwe in their last game on Sunday, while the West Indies, who lost their first game in the tournament, face co-host India.
"Everything will not be easy. The way we play our cricket, there will be a loss, the aim was to get it out early. Next game will be a quarter-final," West Indies captain Shai Hope said, referring to their make-or-break clash with India.
India play Zimbabwe later Thursday in a must-win game for both.
Markram set the tone for the chase by smashing seven boundaries and four sixes, notching 82 off 46 balls, while De Kock hit four sixes and four boundaries in his 24-ball 47.
Rickelton maintained the express scoring with 45 off 28 balls, sharing an unbeaten 80 off 50 with Markram as South Africa won with more than three overs to spare for a fourth time in Ahmedabad.
The lone wicket was taken by spin bowling all-rounder Roston Chase, who was drafted into the playing XI in place of spinner Akeal Hosein.
Pacers Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder couldn't bowl West Indies to victory after batting their side to respectability.
Shepherd (52 not out) and Holder (49) lifted West Indies from an embarrassing 83-7 with a remarkable 89-run stand, in which Shepherd notched his maiden T20 half-century.
In a frenetic powerplay, West Indies lost four wickets in 10 balls and was down to 52-4. South Africa also dropped three catches in the first six overs.
Kagiso Rabada (2-22) got a faint edge off West Indies skipper Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, who top-edged a pull to wicket-keeper De Kock in the third over. Lungi Ngidi (3-30) took out Brandon King and Chase in the fourth over.
Holder and Shepherd pushed the accelerator in the death overs. Holder smashed Marco Jansen for 23 runs in the 18th over before he was run out in the final over.
Shepherd completed his half-century with an inside edge off the final ball of the innings but South Africa kept the score under-par at their favourite ground in Ahmedabad.
AP
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