Dominant South Africa decimate UAE to complete sweep of Group D

South Africa finished the group stage unbeaten, securing their fourth win with a comfortable six-wicket victory over the UAE in their T20 World Cup 2026 fixture.

Opting to test their bench, South Africa made four changes. Put in to bat, UAE started positively with Muhammad Waseem hitting three consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada. However, George Linde’s introduction in the fifth over slowed the scoring, halting Waseem’s charge. Corbin Bosch then generated extra bounce from a back-of-length line to dismiss Aryansh Sharma and Sohaib Khan.

UAE struggled consistently against the short ball. Top-scorer Alishan Sharafu misread a Kwena Maphaka bouncer, with the ball deflecting off his helmet to the boundary. Syed Haider fell to another bouncer, giving Anrich Nortje his first T20I wicket since the 2024 World Cup final.

Sharafu survived a dropped relay catch at the boundary and was hit on the helmet again by Bosch in the 16th over, leading to a concussion test. South Africa’s fielding was uncharacteristically poor, with several dropped chances, including one by the usually reliable Quinton de Kock.

Sharafu’s fighting 45 ended in the 18th over—again to a short ball—as UAE posted 122 for 6. Rain then delayed South Africa’s chase.

Upon resumption, UAE opened with spin, quickly employing it from both ends. Captain Aiden Markram took 18 runs off left-arm spinner Haider Ali’s first five balls but was bowled by the sixth—the first wicket for a UAE spinner in the tournament after 23 overs.

Ryan Rickelton started with a flurry of fours, but de Kock fell cutting to third man. Dewald Brevis was struck on the glove early but shook off the rust with a ferocious pull for six off Jawadullah. He later launched Haider over cover for another notable six.

To disrupt Brevis, UAE seamers took pace off the ball, but the required rate never pressured the batters. Between overs 7 and 10, Rickelton faced only three balls but hit two sixes off Muhammad Farooq’s first three deliveries. He fell next ball attempting a third.

Brevis followed soon after, holing out to mid-off for 36. Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith then comfortably sealed the win with 40 balls to spare.

Corbin Bosch, whose third wicket was the 100th of his T20 career, was named Player of the Match. He noted there was “some nip early on” and praised his bowling unit’s communication, adding the morning rain had assisted them.

South Africa will next face India in their Group 1 Super Eight match in Ahmedabad.

Brief Scores:
UAE 122/6 (Alishan Sharafu 45, Corbin Bosch 3-12) lost to South Africa 123/4 in 13.2 overs (Dewald Brevis 36, Ryan Rickelton 30).