T20 WC: SA begins campaign with win over Canada

South Africa opened their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, registering a comprehensive 57-run victory over Canada in their Group D encounter at Ahmedabad on Monday. Put in to bat first, the Proteas produced a dominant batting performance to pile up a formidable 213 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with a composed and authoritative knock of 59, setting the tone for South Africa’s innings. Markram mixed caution with aggression, rotating the strike effectively before accelerating in the latter stages. He received solid support at the top from Ryan Rickelton, who provided early momentum, while the middle order ensured the scoring rate never dipped. Experienced campaigner David Miller played a brisk cameo, and Tristan Stubbs added late fireworks, helping South Africa cross the 200-run mark with ease. Canada’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs on a good batting surface, conceding boundaries at regular intervals. Chasing a steep target of 214, Canada needed a strong start but were immediately put under pressure by South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack. Lungi Ngidi emerged as the chief destroyer, claiming an impressive four-wicket haul that effectively derailed Canada’s chase. Ngidi’s pace and accuracy proved too much for the Canadian batters, as wickets fell at crucial intervals. Despite the mounting pressure, Navneet Dhaliwal stood tall with a fighting knock of 64, showing resilience and intent. However, he found little sustained support from the other end, as South Africa continued to tighten the screws with both pace and spin. Canada eventually finished on 156 for 8 in 20 overs, falling well short of the target. The convincing win gives South Africa a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign, boosting their net run rate and confidence early in the tournament. For Canada, the loss highlights the challenge ahead in Group D, though Dhaliwal’s innings offered a positive takeaway as they look to bounce back in their upcoming matches. @@@@