SA sets T20 World Cup record

Monday’s win over Windies marks Proteas’ seventh successive win in tournament

South Africa set a world record with their victory over the West Indies on Monday in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

This triumph marks their seventh consecutive win in the tournament, propelling them into the semi-finals for the first time since 2014. These seven consecutive victories are the highest number of wins achieved by any team in a single T20 World Cup.

Most matches won in a men’s T20 World Cup:

7 – South Africa in 2024

6 - Sri Lanka in 2009

6 - Australia in 2010

6 - Australia in 2021

Meanwhile, West Indies skipper Rovman Powell spoke after his team was eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2024 on Monday.

The Windies lost their final Super 8 match in Antigua against South Africa, missing out on the semi-finals. Powell admitted their batting let them down.

“Credit has to be given to the boys, they fought till the very end,” Powell said.

“As a batting group, this is a performance you’d want to forget. We did not bat well in the middle. It was not an easy wicket, especially to get started. In the middle overs, we lost wickets in clusters. That broke the back of our batting team,” he added.

He praised the bowlers for their effort. “The bowling was commendable. We aimed to give our all, even defending just 135.”

Powell highlighted the team’s progress, noting their rise from No. 9 to No. 3 in the rankings over the last 15 months. “There is a lot of buzz in the Caribbean about West Indian cricket. Now the real work begins to make the Caribbean people proud.”

He thanked the fans for their support. “The crowd has been fantastic. It’s great to see the buzz back in Caribbean cricket. Thanks to everyone in Antigua and across the Caribbean for their support,” Powell concluded.

Shamsi hits out at ‘ridiculous’ T20 World Cup critics

South Africa leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi lambasted his team’s “ridiculous” critics after the Proteas won another T20 World Cup nail-biter to reach the semi-finals.

Shamsi claimed 3-27 in Sunday’s three-wicket win over two-time champions West Indies as South Africa chalked up a seventh win in seven games at the tournament.

The 34-year-old took the wickets of dangerous opener Kyle Mayers and top-scoring Roston Chase in his four overs.

Four days earlier, he had conceded 50 runs on the same ground as the United States threatened a shock victory and he was dropped for the victory over England.

“In the previous game I bowled later in the innings and I went for 50 and there were certain critics coming out from the woodwork, speaking about pressure and how I can’t handle pressure,” said Shamsi.

“I think in a quarter-final match I hope that was enough pressure for me to respond to.”

Shamsi said he was dismayed by the criticism he and his team have faced in their campaign.

“It’s just a little bit ridiculous when it’s ex-players,” said Shamsi.

“When they were on the field they did the same things. As cricketers we know sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

South Africa topped their first round group as well as their pool in the second stage Super Eights with defending champions England also going through to the last four.

However, it has been a roller-coaster ride for the Proteas who are still without a world title after a succession of painful near-misses. At this tournament, they have had to dig deep to preserve their winning momentum.

They defeated the Netherlands by four wickets after being 12-4 at one stage chasing just 104 to win.

A four-run win over Bangladesh followed before they avoided what would have been a seismic shock in a one-run victory over Nepal.

“Obviously most of the games have been a lot closer than we would have personally liked,” added Shamsi.

“But the amazing thing is that this new Proteas team always seems to get over the line.