South Africa became the second team to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-finals after India defeated Zimbabwe in Chennai, eliminating the hosts from the tournament. Earlier, South Africa defeated West Indies to move to four points in Super Eight Group 1.
Their final group match against Zimbabwe in Delhi on Sunday will be a formality. India and West Indies, both on two points, will face each other in a knockout clash in Kolkata on Sunday to determine the second semi-finalist from the group.
In Group 2, England sealed their semi-final berth after victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. New Zealand remain in second place and can secure the top spot by beating England in Colombo. Should England win, they top the group with six points, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive, provided Pakistan achieves a massive net run rate swing against Sri Lanka.
On the cricketing front, West Indies broke their own T20 World Cup record for the most sixes in a tournament, hitting 63 sixes, with a notable eighth-wicket stand of 89 between Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder rescuing them from 83 for 7 against South Africa. However, South Africa’s superior bowling ensured a 23-ball victory, maintaining their unbeaten record.
India, meanwhile, posted 256 for 4 against Zimbabwe in Chennai—the second-highest T20 World Cup total ever—powered by Abhishek Sharma’s maiden fifty and a late finishing partnership from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma. Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett scored 97* in a valiant effort, though India won by 72 runs. Arshdeep Singh took three key wickets and became India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cups with 35 wickets, surpassing Jasprit Bumrah.
The Super Eight stage now sets up South Africa against India and West Indies against India in knockout scenarios, while England and New Zealand fight for Group 2 supremacy.
With high-scoring matches, record-breaking sixes, and strategic battles for semi-final spots, the tournament continues to thrill fans worldwide.
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