Ahmedabad, Feb 26 (NationPress) South Africa's skipper Aiden Markram praised his bowlers for their exceptional execution of strategies during the Power-play and for capitalizing on the playing conditions after securing a commanding nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in a Super 8s encounter at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Reflecting on the initial bowling phase, Markram remarked, "I truly believe we bowled exceptionally well. It appeared that the West Indies were eager to take control of the game, and while a few might slip through, we felt the conditions were quite tricky."

He added, "The ball was somewhat unpredictable, and with an extra bounce, we aimed to maintain precise lengths and exert significant energy into our deliveries. With only two fielders outside the circle, the ball can travel quickly, but consistent wicket-taking keeps you in contention. We were quite pleased with our Power-play performance."

Markram also discussed the strategy during the innings break after limiting the West Indies to 176/8. "While we bowled, it felt like the wickets were improving with each over. The trick was to understand how often to utilize the conditions and when to take the wicket out of play. Balancing that was crucial while we were active on the field. Toward the end, when we focused on full deliveries and yorkers, altering the pace worked to our advantage."

South Africa successfully chased down the target of 177 runs in just 16.1 overs, led by Markram's undefeated 82, alongside Quinton de Kock's 47 and Ryan Rickelton's not-out 45.

Complimenting his top-order batsmen, Markram stated, "Having played with Quinny for years, it’s fantastic to see Rick establishing himself at number three, which is a significant benefit for our team. The middle-order has had to support us in previous matches, and we hope to continue ensuring victories."

As the Proteas remain unbeaten in the Super 8s and closing in on a semifinal spot, Markram emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming match first. "That would be wonderful. Every step in this tournament is challenging, and advancing from the group stage was no easy feat. The Super 8 group is tough, so we hope to progress, but if not, we’ll tackle the next game and push for the semifinal."

Markram also looked ahead to the possibility of an additional match in Ahmedabad, considering the final is set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium if Pakistan does not qualify. "It would be fantastic. It’s a bit premature to think about that, but our team has performed exceptionally well there. We are learning the conditions, so we’ll need to keep playing well and hope for the best outcomes," Markram concluded.

South Africa is scheduled to face Zimbabwe in their final Super 8s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.