Players from South Africa and Zimbabwe after elimination.© AFP
Rain had the last word in a Twenty20 World Cup match between South Africa and Zimbabwe after Proteas looked poised for a likely victory on Monday. Chasing a rain-corrected goal of 64 in seven overs, Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 47 to take the team to 51 in three overs without losing, as rain in Hobart stopped play for the last time. De Kock, a wicketkeeper batsman, devised all the weapons to crush Tendai Chatara with four fours and sixes in a 23-run opening.
The opener continued his attack in the second over to hit Richard Ngarava for four straight limits to take the total to 40-0 in an intermittent match.
The umpires did their best to complete the Super 12 match, but the recent rain break forced the players off the ground and a disappointed Kock shook hands with the opponent.
Zimbabwe went 79-5 after opting to bat first, but their innings only started after more than two hours and 30 minutes of rain delay. The South African Quicks made an immediate impact as Wayne Parnell and Lungi Ngidi shook up the opposition’s top orders.
Zimbabwe fell to 19-4 in three overs before Wesley Madhevere hit 35 from 18 balls and set up a 55-run streak with Milton Shumba hitting 18.
Parnell sent skipper Craig Ervine back for two after a frantic start from Zimbabwe, with batsmen living dangerously as they ran between the wickets.
Ngidi scored twice in the following over, including the fit Sikandar Raza for a duck after De Kock made a one-handed leap behind the stumps.
But Madhevere, who smashed four fours and a six on his 18-ball strike, and Shumba, who retired on the final installment of Anrich Nortje’s innings, put on a lousy show.
promoted
Each of the African nations took one point from the collapse.
Bangladesh, who defeated the Netherlands in the day’s opening match in Hobart, top Group 2 as India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling final on Sunday.
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