It is do-or-die for the West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday. That is the day the men in maroon clash with defending champions India at Eden Garden. A win for either team will send them through to the semi-final with England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
After winning five matches on the trot, the West Indies faltered badly on Thursday against the unbeaten South Africans to lose by nine wickets.
The only way West Indies can advance to the semi-finals is a win against India, or a rained-out match. The West Indies have a better run rate than the Indians.
The West Indies were at their worst on Thursday when they came up against at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers with 3/30
Chasing 177 for victory, the Proteas raced to 177/1 in just 16.1 overs, sealing the win with 23 balls to spare.
After being sent in, the West Indies were in deep trouble at 83/7 in the 11th over. A record T20 World Cup eighth-wicket partnership of 89 between Romario Shepherd (52 not out off 37 balls) and Jason Holder (49 off 31) revived the innings and carried the Caribbean side to a competitive 176/8.
Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers with 3/30, applying early pressure that left the West Indies reeling.
Captain Aiden Markram smashed an unbeaten 82 off 46 deliveries to earn Player of the Match honours. He was well supported by Quinton de Kock (47) and Ryan Rickelton, who finished on 45 not out.
The victory lifted South Africa to two wins from two matches in Super 8 Group 1. South Africa, meanwhile, will look to secure top spot in the group when they meet Zimbabwe on the same
