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Markram scores superb half century for South Africa against Canada Men's T20 World Cup, Group B, Ahmedabad

South Africa 213-4 (20 overs): Markram 59 (32); Patel 3-31

Canada 156-8 (20 overs): Dhaliwal 64 (49); Ngidi 4-31

South Africa won by 57 runs

South Africa made an imposing start to the T20 World Cup with a 57-run victory over Canada in Ahmedabad. Associate nations have caused the more fancied teams problems in the opening three days of this tournament, but the Proteas, the 2024 runners-up and one of the main contenders behind co-hosts India, had no such issue.

They posted the highest score so far by making 213-4, with captain Aiden Markram scoring 59. There were also contributions of 25 from fellow opener Quinton de Kock and 35 by Ryan Rickelton, while David Miller and Tristan Stubbs finished unbeaten on 39 and 34 respectively.

Lungi Ngidi then had Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa caught behind with the first ball of the chase before taking two more wickets in his second over to reduce Canada to 26-3.

Navneet Dhaliwal offered admirable resistance, sharing a stand of 69 with Harsh Thaker, but Canada finished on 156-8.

The win means South Africa join New Zealand, who beat Afghanistan in their opening fixture, at the top of Group D. South Africa play Afghanistan in their next match on Wednesday, also in Ahmedabad. Canada play the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Bangladesh ask Pakistan to play India in World Cup Men's T20 World Cup, Group B, Colombo

Oman 103 all out (19.5 overs): Shukla 28 (21); Muzarabani 3-16

Zimbabwe 106-2 (13.3 overs): Bennett 48* (36); Mehmood 2-12

Zimbabwe won by eight wickets

Earlier, Zimbabwe opened their campaign with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Oman thanks to an unbeaten 48 from Brian Bennett. Oman struggled with the pace and bounce of Zimbabwe's attack at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo as they were knocked over for 103.

Blessing Muzarabani blew away the associate nation's top order with 3-16 and at 27-5, Oman were in danger of being bowled out for fewer than their lowest total in World Cups - 47 against England at North Sound in 2024.

But a 44-run stand between Sufyan Mehmood and Vinayak Shukla at least added some respectability to the scorecard for Oman, who are ranked 20th in the world. Shukla top-scored with 28 off 21 balls while Mehmood ground out 25 off 39 deliveries as they were two of only three Oman players to make it into double figures. The other was Nadeem Khan, who hit their only six of the innings, en route to an 18-ball 20 before he was dismissed by superb diving catch in the deep by Bennett.

Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans finished with 3-17 and 3-18 respectively for the Chevrons. Zimbabwe, who failed to qualify for the last World Cup, made relatively light work of the run chase as they knocked off the total in 13.3 overs.

Mehmood winkled out Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers in the same over - the second on review after a superb catch by wicketkeeper Shukla - to cause Zimbabwe a few nerves at 30-2.

But Oman were unable to make any further inroads as opener Bennett hit seven fours during a fluent knock off 36 balls.

The only sour point for Zimbabwe was when Brendan Taylor pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to retire hurt on 31 leaving skipper Sikandar Raza to hit the winning runs.

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Bennett takes 'stunning' diving catch

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