Aiden Markram scored a sparkling unbeaten 51 as South Africa registered a comprehensive eight wicket win against West Indies in Dubai on Tuesday.
After being asked to bat first by Proteas skipper, Windies pair of Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis got their side off to a blistering start. The duo added 73 runs for the opening stand before Keshav Maharaj broke the partnership by dismissing Lewis caught at deep midwicket for a well made 56.
Nicholas Pooran perished cheaply while trying to take on Maharaj. Simmons painstaking stay at the crease came to an end as he was cleaned up by Kagiso Rabada’s slower delivery for 16.
Veteran left hander Chris Gayle (12) sliced a slower ball from Pretorius to Heinrich Klaasen behind the stumps.
Skipper Kieron Pollard scored a valuable 26 in the end to propel West Indies to 143/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
For South Africa, Dwaine Pretorius was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/17.
Chasing 144, South Africa suffered an early jolt by losing skipper Temba Bavuma run out in the very first over.
Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen added 57 runs for the second wicket before the former fell to a brilliant diving catch by Hetmyer off Akeal Hosein for 39.
Van der Dussen (43)* along with Aiden Markram (51)* put on an unbeaten 83 run stand for the third wicket as South Africa reached the target with 10 balls to spare.
