Washington [US], February 10: South Africa made an imposing start to the T20 World Cup with a 57-run victory over Canada in Ahmedabad.
Associate nations have caused the more fancied teams problems in the opening three days of this tournament, but the Proteas, the 2024 runners-up and one of the main contenders behind co-hosts India, had no such issue.
They posted the highest score so far by making 213-4, with captain Aiden Markram scoring 59. There were also contributions of 25 from fellow opener Quinton de Kock and 35 by Ryan Rickelton, while David Miller and Tristan Stubbs finished unbeaten on 39 and 34 respectively.
Lungi Ngidi then had Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa caught behind with the first ball of the chase before taking two more wickets in his second over to reduce Canada to 26-3.
Navneet Dhaliwal offered admirable resistance, sharing a stand of 69 with Harsh Thaker, but Canada finished on 156-8.
Scotland beat debutants Italy
Michael Leask and George Munsey starred as Scotland beat World Cup debutants Italy by 73 runs at Eden Gardens.
Munsey - dropped on 40 - blasted 84 as Scotland set 207-4 off their 20 overs, helped by Leask taking 22 from the final five balls of the innings.
Leask carried that momentum into the field, dismissing Italian opener Justin Mosca first ball as Munsey took an excellent diving catch to his right.
Despite a 73-run partnership between brothers Ben and Harry Manenti, Italy were always behind the rate and once they were removed, Scotland skittled the tail for a comfortable win.
With captain Wayne Madsen unable to bat having dislocated his shoulder fielding, Italy were bowled out for 134 in 16.4 overs. Leask finished with magnificent figures of 4-17, while Mark Watt chipped in with 2-24 as Munsey pouched four catches.
Scotland - with one win from two - are next in action against England on Saturday, while Italy face Nepal on Thursday.
ScorescColor
South Africa 213 for 4 (Markram 59, Miller 39*, Ansh 3-31) beat Canada 156 for 8 (Dhaliwal 64, Ngidi 4-31) by 57 runs.
Scotland 207 for 4 (Munsey 84, McMullen 41) beat Italy (B Manenti 52, Leask 4-17) by 73 runs
Zimbabwe 106 for 2 (Bennett 48*, Mehmood 2-12) beat Oman 103 (Shukla 28, Muzarabani 3-16, Evans, 3-18, Ngarava 3-17) by eight wickets.
Source: Qatar Tribune