PROTEAS SEND WARNING TO SUPER 8 RIVALS WITH CONVINCING SIX-WICKET WIN OVER UAE

THE Proteas sent a T20 World Cup warning to co-hosts India after romping to a six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in New Delhi on Wednesday.

After restricting the Emiratis to 122/6 on a pitch enlivened by morning rain, South Africa klapped 123/4 in just 13.2 overs to complete a perfect group phase with four wins out of four.

Next up for Aiden Markram’s span is a repeat of the 2024 final against India in Ahmedabad on Sunday in their first match of the Super 8.

India won the final in Barbados to lift the trophy and are firm favourites to repeat on home soil.

But the Proteas have shown they are serious title contenders again, emerging top of a potentially tricky Group D that contained New Zealand and Afghanistan.

There was a nasty moment in the 16th over when the UAE’s Alishan Sharafu was hit flush on the peak of his helmet by a Corbin Bosch bouncer that saw parts of the headgear go flying.

The batter was cleared to continue after a concussion check and slashed Bosch’s next delivery to deep third man where it fell just short of Anrich Nortje, squirmed under him and went for four.

The moment encapsulated an uncharacteristically swak fielding performance by the Proteas in the dead-rubber match.

They spilled four straightforward chances in the outfield and Markram acknowledged they will need to be sharper against India.

Markram wysed: “We let ourselves down today [Wednesday] in the field, not up to the mark at all.”

Sharafu top-scored for the UAE with 45 while, for SA, Dewald Brevis scored 36 and Ryan Rickelton 30.

Player of the match Bosch bowled a gevaarlike spell of 3/12 from his four overs.