In a dramatic moment during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash, South Africa’s young batter Dewald Brevis had a brief fielding mishap that gave Shai Hope an early lifeline. The high-stakes encounter between the South Africa and West Indies national cricket teams took place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, February 26.
South African captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first in their second Super 8 fixture. The Proteas stuck with the same playing XI that had defeated the India national cricket team earlier in the tournament. The West Indies made a single change, bringing in Roston Chase in place of Akeal Hosein.
The early drama unfolded in the very first over. Veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj delivered a short ball that Hope attempted to pull on the final delivery of the over. The shot didn’t connect cleanly, and the ball soared high towards deep mid-wicket. Brevis sprinted across and initially appeared to complete a fine catch near the boundary.
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However, while moving backwards, Brevis lost his balance as he stepped onto the boundary rope. Unable to flick the ball back into play before landing outside the field, the effort resulted in six runs instead of a wicket. The moment briefly lifted the West Indies camp as Hope survived an early scare.
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Despite the missed opportunity, South Africa quickly regained control of the contest. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada struck in the third over to dismiss Hope for 16. The West Indies skipper edged a delivery outside off stump, and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock completed a comfortable catch behind the stumps.
The Caribbean side had raced to 29 runs in the first two overs, but the momentum shifted dramatically once Rabada and Lungi Ngidi came into the attack. South Africa’s pace duo triggered a stunning collapse, removing four batters for just 14 runs in the space of 12 deliveries as the West Indies slumped to 43/4.
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Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, and Chase all fell during the collapse. Hetmyer briefly survived when Corbin Bosch dropped a difficult chance inside the circle. But the reprieve lasted only two balls, as Rabada forced another mistimed pull shot.
Maharaj moved swiftly to his right at mid-wicket and completed a sharp catch, sending Hetmyer back for just two runs and giving South Africa another crucial breakthrough in the Super 8 contest.
