NZ vs SA Match 24 Results

5:24 PM IST The skipper of South Africa - Aiden Markram mentions that it is important to acknowledge that they won the toss. Reflects that the ball came nicely onto the bat later in the second innings. Credits the effort of the bowlers for restricting New Zealand to a middling total and praises their consistency throughout. Speaking about New Zealand’s opening pair, he calls them dangerous and intimidating, but credits his bowlers for sticking to their plans. On Marco Jansen, he describes him as a unique left-arm option who brings a special edge with his height and variety. Adds that although he has been bowling well, the numbers hadn’t reflected it until now. On his own knock, he says it was pleasing, but the main aim was to give the team a solid start. He highlights the depth and experience in the batting lineup, with plenty of power to manage across different phases. Adds that teams are increasingly taking on the attack in the Powerplay, and while it won’t always come off, it can put them ahead of the game when it does.

5:21 PM IST More action on Sunday - That wraps up the first week of action in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and it delivered plenty of entertainment. Another triple-header awaits us on Sunday, 15th February. First up, Nepal and the West Indies face off in Mumbai, before the action moves south to Chennai, where Namibia take on the USA. The day will conclude with India and Pakistan locking horns in Colombo. The first game of the day will begin at 5.30 am GMT. As always, join us early for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

5:21 PM IST Saturday Round-Up - We began the day in Colombo, where Ireland brushed aside Oman to open their account in this World Cup. Then it was time for the European rivals to clash in Kolkata. England endured a nervy start to the chase but overcame it to return to winning ways. The action concluded in Ahmedabad, with South Africa producing a dominant display against the Kiwis.

5:20 PM IST Powerplay blitz sets it all up - The chase was effectively decided in the Powerplay itself. New Zealand's quicks were uncharacteristically ill-disciplined, and the two openers made them pay, especially Aiden Markram, as the Proteas raced to 83 in the first six overs. The contest was virtually won there and then, with Markram holding firm to shut the door on any potential comeback. Along the way, Markram brought up a 19-ball fifty, the fastest by a South African in T20 World Cups, eclipsing the previous best of 21 balls set by Quinton de Kock against England during the 2016 edition.

5:14 PM IST First innings recap - Earlier, after the toss fell South Africa's way, Marco Jansen dented the Kiwis early before Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman combined to keep the scoreboard ticking without letting the tempo dip. The pair added 74 runs from 44 balls, but both fell in quick succession. That meant New Zealand couldn't maximise the back end as they would have liked and had to settle for 175.

5:13 PM IST Recovery on, squeeze back on - South Africa, well-tuned to the surface by now, mixed their pace cleverly and kept chipping away at momentum. Still, Mitchell found support in Mark Chapman, and together they stitched a steady 74-run stand that pulled things back from the brink. Just when New Zealand looked set to launch for a big finish, South Africa tightened the screws at the right time. Dot balls stacked up and the pressure climbed. Both set batters fell in quick time, and the innings dipped again from 138/4 to 145/7.