South Africa has chased the record T20 target to beat the West Indies. The Proteas broke the record for Bulgaria, who scored 246 runs in 2022 while chasing 242 runs against Serbia. Among the full-time members, Aiden Markram’s side broke the Australian record of 245 runs they followed against New Zealand in 2018.
In response, South Africa got off to a breakneck start, setting another T20 record with 150 unbeaten goals in 10 first overs. De Kock needed 43 balls to hit his century but pulled out immediately to complete an early 152-carry partnership with Reeza Hendricks, who went 68 for 28.
Leading the South African innings was Quinton De Kock, who hit 100 runs in 44 deliveries. De Kock’s early blitzkrieg had resulted in South Africa earning the highest score in the PowerPlay-102.
Even after the wicketkeeper-batsman got out, Reeza Hendricks built sure the momentum stayed with the home team. He accomplished 68 runs from 28 deliveries. Towards the end, Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram put together a 43-run partnership and secured their team the win with
The six-wicket win allowed South Africa to level the three-match series 1–1. Early in the game, Johnson Charles led the West Indies to their highest T20I finish with a 118-run slam from 44 deliveries. In doing so, he broke Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest hundred by a West Indian batsman in T20I. Johnson Charles drove the West Indies inning to 258-5, a new T20 overall record at the Pretoria Proving Grounds after coming to the bottom with an impressive record. The 34-year-old from St. Lucia set the fastest West Indian record of the century with 39 balls, eight fewer than Chris Gayle’s previous record.
Charles hit 118 balls from 46 before being beaten by Marco Jansen, South Africa’s top bowler. He hit 11 sixes, half his total in West Indian innings. This is matching the record of 22 in an inning set by Afghanistan against Ireland three years ago. Kyle Mayers combined with Charles (51) in 135, followed by the unbeaten Romario Shepherd 41.
South Africa leveled the three-match T20 series with the last game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on coming Tuesday.
West Indies 258-5 in 20 overs (J. Charles 118, K. Mayers 51, R. Shepherd 41 not out; M. Jansen 3-52, W. Parnell 2-43) v South Africa 259-4 in 18.5 overs (Q. de Kock 100, R. Hendricks 68, A. Markram 38 not out)
Toss: South Africa won the toss.
Result: South Africa won by six wickets
Series: The three-match series is tied 1-1
Next match: March 28, Johannesburg
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