South Africa ended their group stage unbeaten as they defeated United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.
The 2024 runners-up chased down a modest target of 123 in 13.2 overs.
After rain delayed the start of the second innings, South Africa started strong, bringing up 56/2 in powerplay. Aiden Markram was off to a flier, scoring 28 in 11, with the help of five fours and a six, but he was castled by Haider Ali.
Though they lost the openers in the first six overs, Dewald Brevis (36) and Ryan Rickleton (30) steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership and took the Proteas to the brink of a dominant victory.
Put into bat, UAE looked fluent for the first four overs, but South Africa pegged them back with a couple of wickets. From 36/0 after four overs, UAE slipped to 44/2 at the end of powerplay, with openers Aryansh Sharma and Muhammad Waseem back in the pavilion.
Pacer Corbin Bosch was the one that provided the breakthrough and led the South African fightback in a brilliant spell of 3/12 in four overs. Anrich Nortje claimed 2/28, while George Linge chipped in with a wicket to hold UAE to 122/6.
Alishan Sharafu, who has come up with some vital contributions this World Cup, was once again the top-scorer for UAE, notching 45 off 38 balls. But the UAE middle and lower order was put under pressure by South Africa in overcast conditions in New Delhi.
The African side was uncharacteristically sloppy in the field on Tuesday, dropping at least two regulation catches.
Brief score:
United Arab Emirates: 122/6 (20.0)
South Africa: 123/4 (13.2)
