T20 WORLD CUP | Clinical South Africa will look to maintain ruthless streak against Zimbabwe

Boxes have been ticked with clinical efficiency by South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup. With six straight wins, it is the only undefeated side in the competition, and barring a cliffhanger against Afghanistan in the group stage that required a second Super Over to be the final arbiter, there has been a resounding tone to all its other triumphs.

Judging by its recent run, a Super Eight contest against neighbour Zimbabwe at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Sunday should be straightforward. That said, with a semifinal on the horizon, this isn’t the time for Aiden Markram and Co. to take the foot off the pedal.

Glancing through the Proteas contingent, the lack of over-reliance on any one member has been striking. In the batting department, the top six of Markram, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs have all come up with effervescent contributions.

Similarly, the bowling unit has blended like a symphony orchestra. Lungi Ngidi deserves a special mention, for he has been a revelation with his cunning mix of slower balls.

In addition, the fact that South Africa has played all its games till now at just two venues — Ahmedabad and Delhi — has allowed the players to get a good grasp of the conditions.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, has had to move from the relatively slower pitches in Sri Lanka to the more batting-friendly decks in India. Having vanquished Australia and Sri Lanka in the island nation, the gulf in class that Sikandar Raza’s men need to bridge with the top teams has been apparent in the Super Eight phase.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers were pummeled by the West Indies for 254 runs in Mumbai, and then taken for 256 by India in Chennai.

Before the Zimbabweans return to more mundane settings, one more chance to match up to the big boys awaits.