South Africa were once again deprived of winning the World Cup match due to rain. Zimbabwe had given him a target of 80 runs in nine overs in the T20 World Cup, which was later reduced to 64 runs in seven overs. South Africa had scored 51 runs for no loss but rain proved to be their enemy once again. The match was canceled due to repeated rain. Quinton de Kock was playing an unbeaten 47 off 18 balls.
Three decades ago, in the 1992 ODI World Cup semi-final, South Africa had to face the havoc of rain. At that time, the team had only returned to international cricket. Earlier, Zimbabwe scored 79 for five in nine overs in a rain-battered match with the help of 35 off 18 balls by all-rounder Wesley Madhevere. Wesley got a lifeline for 11 runs which he took full advantage of. At one point Zimbabwe’s score was 19 for four in the fourth over.
The match started two hours late due to rain. Because of this, the match was reduced to nine teams per over, with three overs of the powerplay. Zimbabwe captain Craig Irwin won the toss and made a surprise decision to bat as the match was likely to be decided by the Duckworth-Lewis method due to rain. Irwin’s decision proved to be wrong as his top four batsmen could not contribute.
Lungi Engidi took two wickets for 20 runs for South Africa. He dismissed Regis Chakabwa (8) and Sikandar Raza (0). Wayne Parnell sent Irwin (two) cheaply to the pavilion. Sean Williams, sent at number three, was run out. Engidi dropped Wesley’s catch to Keshav Maharaj when he had scored 11 runs. He then hit Kagiso Rabada for a six and two fours in the eighth over.
