South Africa sealed the T20I series by a 3-2 margin with a 25-run victory over West Indies on Saturday, 4 July. They rode on half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram before the bowlers did well to restrict the home side to 143/9, in pursuit of 169 to win.
De Kock seems to be enjoying his newfound freedom since he has been relieved of the captaincy band. He was the leading run-scorer in the Test series and replicated the same in T20I as well.
Temba Bavuma got out for a three-ball duck, but de Kock and Markram then snuffed out any danger. They laid a solid foundation with a 128-run partnership for the second wicket. De Kock completed his third successive fifty before falling to Fidel Edwards in the 15th over.
The innings progression stalled once de Kock got out. South Africa managed only one boundary in the next four overs, and also lost a set batter in Markram.
Chasing 168, Evin Lewis got his team off an explosive start. Lendl Simmons got out cheaply, but that didn't influence Lewis’ aggression in the Powerplay. With Chris Gayle struggling to get going, Lewis took all upon himself and kept the asking rate in check. They were 50/1 by the end of the Powerplay.
Tabraiz Shamsi then slowed down things by trapping Gayle in the eighth over. Lewis then completed his half century, but holed out an easy catch to Markram at long off.
Wiaan Mulder then struck twice, removing Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell on consecutive deliveries, to land the hosts into a spot of bother. Hetmyer, meanwhile, struggled to find boundaries and was eventually dismissed by Ngidi on 31-ball 33.
With 30 needed off the last two overs, Rabada dismissed both Nicholas Pooran and Dwayne Bravo and conceded just three runs off it. In the end, the hosts could only manage 143/9.
Lungi Ngidi claimed three wickets, while Rabada and Mulder picked up two wickets apiece. Shamsi conceded just 11 runs from his quota of four overs.
Brief Score: South Africa 168/4 in 20 overs (Markram 70; Edwards 2-19) beat the West Indies 143/9 in 20 overs (Lewis 52; Ngidi 3-32) by 25 runs. Player of the Match: Aiden Markram.
South Africa won the series by 3-2. Player of the Series: Tabraiz Shamsi.