South Africa vs Canada, Match 9 Match Summary

See you later! A commanding performance from South Africa, who walk away with a massive, one-sided victory! The 2026 T20 World Cup action doesn't stop here, though, as we have a huge triple-header lined up for Tuesday, February 10th as well. We’ll kick things off early with the Netherlands facing Namibia in New Delhi at 5.30 am GMT, followed by New Zealand taking on the UAE in Chennai, and finally, we wrap up the day with Pakistan going against the USA in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Make sure to tune in for the pre-match build-up tomorrow. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The victorious captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram admits that the early stages of the competition have shown that anyone can beat anyone, stressing that no opposition can be taken lightly. Adds that he is pleased with the start from his side. Also mentions that selection calls aren’t easy, but adds that the players missing out have taken it well and continue to bring strong energy to the group. He points out that the death overs are a crucial phase in India and feels Miller and Stubbs managed it smartly, doing the hard work initially before teeing off later. Markram also praises the bowlers for their effort, noting there was a little assistance up front before the dew set in. Details that they continued to ask questions throughout the innings. Looking ahead to Afghanistan, the semifinalists from the last edition, he highlights the challenge of a day game and wraps by stressing that his side would need to be right on it.

The captain of Canada - Dilpreet Bajwa says that they were expecting to chase 170-175, but admits that they leaked extra runs in the death overs. On Ansh Patel, he says that he bowled well and also praises Dhaliwal for his excellent knock. Specifically mentions that Dhaliwal's 10 years of experience playing for Canada has helped them massively. Admits that they are lacking experience as they don't play against big teams. Mentions that South Africa's bowlers are top class and Canada did well with the bat. Ends by saying that they lost early wickets and stresses on watching the ball properly moving ahead.

Let's hear what the captains have to say...

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Lungi Ngidi gets the award for bowling figures of 4/31 in 4 overs. On being asked about what it is that brings the best out of him in this format, he puts it down to his willingness to take wickets. Adds that he likes to take risks and also admits that sometimes he goes for boundaries, but sometimes those balls pay off and reward him with wickets too. Reflecting on the game plan against players they hadn't faced before, he admits it was one of the areas they struggled with on the night. Adds that it became a case of trial and error as the innings progressed, with some deliveries disappearing for boundaries and that the plans were adjusted following discussions in the middle. He feels things were fairly straightforward with the new ball, but after that, it largely came down to experimentation.  Speaking about the impact of dew, he agrees that it did play a part, especially when the ball was bowled a touch fuller, as it tended to skid on. Details, while the slower deliveries still held up a bit, the ball generally came on better to the bat, and a few clean connections confirmed that the dew was having an effect. He adds that although their attack is built around pace, it's the variations that tend to catch batters out. His own approach, he says, is to keep things simple, to hit good lengths, change the pace, and keep batters guessing.

Miller and Stubbs provided a late flourish - Earlier in the game, South Africa laid a solid foundation, racing to 65 without loss in the Powerplay. Aiden Markram anchored the innings beautifully with a well-compiled fifty, but Ansh Patel briefly pulled things back for Canada, reducing the heavyweights to 138/4. However, the death overs belonged to David Miller and Tristan Stubbs. The duo forged an unbeaten 75-run stand, smashing 62 runs in the last five overs, to propel the score to a daunting 213/4.

Dhaliwal fought till the end! While the result was evident, Navneet Dhaliwal and Harsh Thaker showed great character, stitching together a 69-run partnership to steady the ship. Dhaliwal played a lone hand with a gritty 64, but he lacked support from the other end. Lungi Ngidi was the wrecker-in-chief, tearing through the top order to finish with a four-wicket haul, while Marco Jansen chipped in with two scalps. Ultimately, Canada finished well short, handing South Africa a comprehensive win.

Top order crumbled for Canada - Chasing a mountain of 214 was always going to be a tall order, and Canada’s hopes took a massive hit immediately. Skipper Dilpreet Bajwa departed for a golden duck on the very first ball, setting the tone for a shaky start. The South African pacers were relentless, leaving Canada reeling at 50/4 by the end of the Powerplay. The required rate kept climbing, and the constant fall of wickets meant the chase never really took off.

A convincing win for the Proteas! South Africa have started their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a bang, registering a convincing 57-run victory. As the runners-up from the last edition, the Proteas looked every bit the favorites, dominating proceedings from the very first ball. Despite a spirited effort in patches from Canada, they fell way short as South Africa picked up two crucial points.

FOUR! Well-struck. Short of a good length, around the off pole. Kaleem Sana stands tall, hits through the line and smashes it over extra cover for a cracking boundary. SOUTH AFRICA BEAT CANADA BY 57 RUNS!

On a back of a length, outside off, Dilon Heyliger nails the back foot punch to deep cover for a run.

Slows it up, full and wide outside off, Dilon Heyliger throws everything left in the tank to hoist it downtown, only to miss.

On a nagging length, on the fourth stump. Kaleem Sana plays from the crease, deliberately opens the bat face very late and runs it behind to deep third for a single.

Swing and a miss! Hard length, over middle, Kaleem Sana tries to flat bat it, but misses.

Kaleem Sana is in at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT! The slower one does the trick and Bosch gets his name inked in the wicket column. A deceptive slower off cutter, on a length, on off, Navneet Dhaliwal does not read the change of pace and lofts it to long on. The bat twists at the point of contact and it is aired straight into the safe hands of Tristan Stubbs in the deep. A very fine knock from Navneet Dhaliwal as he falls for 64 off 49 balls.

Last over coming up. Corbin Bosch (3-0-21-0) to finish off.

150 up for Canada! A low full toss at shin height, this is swatted away to long on for one.

Aimed at the sticks, Navneet slaps it to the bowler.

Full and outside off, Dilon Heyliger drives it away to deep cover for a single.

Uh, oh! Rabada has overstepped. Full and on leg, Navneet Dhaliwal runs it down to long on for an easy single. Right. Time for Free Hit.

Fires it in, full and at the toes, Navneet Dhaliwal gets an inside edge onto the boot.

FOUR! Absolutely hammered! Much fuller and finishing on the stumps, Navneet Dhaliwal creates room and bludgeons it gun-barrel straight down the ground, beating long off to his left for four more.

FOUR! Helped away! A slower cutter, short into the pitch, on the leg stump. Navneet Dhaliwal stands tall and pulls it behind square to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to bowl out. 3-0-28-1 so far.

A bit too full, on leg, Navneet Dhaliwal clears the front leg and drills it down to long on for a single.

A yorker, on the stumps, shoveled away to long off for a run.

WIDE! In-between length, going down leg. Wide called as Heyliger misses to glance it across.

On a back of a length, outside off, Navneet Dhaliwal stands tall and slaps it wide of cover for a single.

No hat trick for Jansen. Tries the yorker, but misses by a yard or so. Full and on off, Dilon Heyliger tries to muscle it down the ground, but inside edges onto the pads. The ball gets deflected to point for a single.