South Africa delivered a convincing performance against the United Arab Emirates in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, securing a six-wicket victory in New Delhi. The match featured disciplined bowling from Corbin Bosch, a determined innings from Alishan Sharafu, and an aggressive South African run chase.
The uae vs sa match took place on February 18, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India. UAE scored 122/6 in 20 overs, while South Africa reached 123/4 in just 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets with 40 balls remaining. Corbin Bosch earned Player of the Match honors for his outstanding bowling figures of 3/12. ICC+1
uae vs sa Match Overview: T20 World Cup 2026
The contest was the 34th match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and formed part of Group D.
South Africa entered the fixture having already secured qualification for the Super Eight stage. The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, were playing their final group-stage match after being eliminated from the competition.
ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP · GROUP D · FEB 18, 2026
The United Arab Emirates Flag. Square Flat Icon. Vector Illustration
United Arab Emirates
122/6
20 overs
South Africa
123/4
13.2 overs
South Africa won by 6 wickets
40 balls remaining · Player of the Match: Corbin Bosch
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match number | 34 |
| Date | February 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Format | Twenty20 International (T20I) |
| Toss | South Africa won and elected to field |
| UAE captain | Muhammad Waseem |
| South Africa captain | Aiden Markram |
| Winning margin | Six wickets |
| Player of the Match | Corbin Bosch |
South Africa completed their Group D campaign with four victories from four matches. UAE finished with one win, against Canada. BBC Sport+1
uae vs sa Full Scorecard and Batting Performances
The scorecard shows how South Africa controlled the contest despite UAE making a promising start.
UAE innings: 122/6 in 20 overs
UAE began with positive intent. Captain Muhammad Waseem attacked the new ball, while Aryansh Sharma helped establish an opening partnership of 38 runs.
However, South Africa’s bowling attack quickly disrupted the innings.
| UAE batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aryansh Sharma | 13 | 17 | 1 | 1 |
| Muhammad Waseem | 22 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Alishan Sharafu | 45 | 38 | 5 | 1 |
| Sohaib Khan | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Syed Haider | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Muhammad Arfan | 11 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Harshit Kaushik | 5* | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Muhammad Farooq | 1* | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 13 | — | — | — |
| Total | 122/6 | 120 |
* indicates not out. Batting figures are based on the published match scorecard. BBC Sport+1*
Alishan Sharafu was UAE’s standout batter, scoring 45 runs from 38 deliveries. His innings included five boundaries and one six.
Sharafu attempted to stabilize the innings after UAE lost both openers, but wickets at regular intervals prevented the team from accelerating.
The final four overs produced only 20 runs, leaving South Africa a relatively modest target of 123.
South Africa innings: 123/4 in 13.2 overs
South Africa approached the chase aggressively, aiming to finish the match without allowing UAE’s bowlers to establish pressure.
Captain Aiden Markram provided the early momentum with 28 runs from only 11 deliveries.
Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis then combined for a crucial 49-run partnership that placed the result firmly in South Africa’s favor.
| South African batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram | 28 | 11 |
| Ryan Rickelton | 30 | 16 |
| Dewald Brevis | 36 | 25 |
| Team total | 123/4 | 13.2 overs |
Brevis struck three sixes during his innings, while Rickelton maintained the scoring rate with attacking stroke play.
South Africa reached the target with 6.4 overs unused, demonstrating the difference in batting depth and scoring efficiency between the teams. ICC+1
Key Highlights of South Africa vs United Arab Emirates
Several moments shaped the outcome, from UAE’s encouraging opening partnership to South Africa’s rapid chase.
UAE’s promising start
Muhammad Waseem and Aryansh Sharma gave UAE a useful foundation.
The opening pair added 38 runs before Waseem was dismissed by George Linde. Sharma followed shortly afterward, falling to Corbin Bosch.
By the end of the six-over powerplay, UAE had reached 44/2.
Losing two early wickets reduced their ability to attack freely through the middle overs.
Corbin Bosch’s match-winning bowling
Corbin Bosch produced the most influential individual performance of the match.
3/12
Corbin Bosch · 4 overs
Economy rate: 3.00 runs per over
Bosch dismissed Aryansh Sharma, Sohaib Khan and Muhammad Arfan.
His accuracy restricted scoring opportunities and prevented UAE from developing partnerships during the middle and closing stages.
Anrich Nortje supported him with two wickets, while George Linde claimed one.
Aiden Markram’s attacking start
South Africa’s captain made his intentions clear immediately.
Markram scored 28 runs from 11 balls, striking five fours and one six. His rapid innings helped South Africa score 56 runs in the first six overs, despite losing two wickets.
This aggressive approach ensured the required run rate never became a concern.
Brevis and Rickelton control the chase
After the early dismissals, Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton built a 49-run partnership.
Their combination of boundary hitting and effective strike rotation ensured South Africa maintained control.
Brevis finished as South Africa’s leading scorer with 36 runs.
Rain interruption
Rain briefly delayed the start of South Africa’s innings.
However, the interruption did not prevent a completed match, and South Africa secured victory in the 14th over.
The ICC’s official match report confirms that the Proteas completed their chase in 13.2 overs. ICC
South Africa vs UAE Bowling Figures and Match Statistics
South Africa’s bowling performance was the biggest difference between the teams. While UAE’s bowlers managed four wickets, they could not consistently control the scoring rate.
South Africa bowling scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Bosch | 4 | 12 | 3 | 3.00 |
| Anrich Nortje | 4 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 |
| George Linde | 4 | 17 | 1 | 4.25 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 4 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Kwena Maphaka | 4 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
Bosch and Linde were especially economical, conceding just 29 runs between them across eight overs.
Kagiso Rabada and Kwena Maphaka went wicketless, but South Africa’s attack collectively restricted UAE to a manageable total.
UAE bowling scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haider Ali | 3 | 33 | 1 |
| Muhammad Jawadullah | 2 | 20 | 1 |
| Muhammad Arfan | 2 | 16 | 1 |
| Muhammad Farooq | 2 | 19 | 1 |
| Junaid Siddique | 2.2 | 23 | 0 |
| Dhruv Parashar | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Dhruv Parashar was UAE’s most economical bowler, conceding only eight runs in two overs.
However, South Africa’s rapid scoring against the other bowlers meant that UAE could not turn individual wickets into sustained pressure. Cricbuzz
Comparison of key match statistics
Batting run rate comparison
Runs scored per over during the February 18, 2026 match.
036912UAESouth Africa
South Africa scored approximately 3.13 more runs per over than UAE.
That difference illustrates how effectively the Proteas combined disciplined bowling with attacking batting.
uae vs sa Head-to-Head Record in International Cricket
South Africa have historically held the advantage over the United Arab Emirates in major international cricket competitions.
The teams have met in both One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International cricket.
T20 International head-to-head
Their February 18, 2026 encounter was their first men’s T20 International meeting.
| T20I record | Result |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 1 |
| South Africa wins | 1 |
| UAE wins | 0 |
| Tied matches | 0 |
| No results | 0 |
| Latest meeting | February 18, 2026 |
South Africa therefore hold a 1–0 advantage in the men’s T20I head-to-head record.ICC T20 World Cup 2026+1
Previous ODI World Cup meeting
The teams also faced each other during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
South Africa recorded a commanding victory, scoring 341/6 before dismissing UAE for 195.
| Match | South Africa | UAE | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 ODI World Cup | 341/6 | 195 all out | SA won by 146 runs |
| 2026 T20 World Cup | 123/4 | 122/6 | SA won by 6 wickets |
South Africa won both of these World Cup encounters.
The historical comparison is useful, but the formats must be distinguished. ODI matches allow 50 overs per innings, while T20Is allow 20.
A separate Hong Kong Sixes result is sometimes included in broader head-to-head databases. That shorter-format competition should not be combined with official ODI and T20I records. IPL
Team Strengths, Playing XI and Tactical Analysis
South Africa and UAE entered the tournament with different levels of international experience and squad depth.
South Africa had an established bowling attack and several batters capable of scoring quickly. UAE relied more heavily on contributions from their leading players and effective partnerships.
South Africa playing XI
South Africa fielded the following players:
- Aiden Markram (captain)
- Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)
- Ryan Rickelton
- Dewald Brevis
- Tristan Stubbs
- Jason Smith
- George Linde
- Corbin Bosch
- Kagiso Rabada
- Anrich Nortje
- Kwena Maphaka
The team rested David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi after securing qualification for the next stage.
This rotation allowed South Africa to manage workloads while giving other squad members competitive opportunities.
UAE playing XI
The UAE lineup included:
- Muhammad Waseem (captain)
- Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper)
- Alishan Sharafu
- Sohaib Khan
- Syed Haider
- Muhammad Arfan
- Dhruv Parashar
- Muhammad Farooq
- Haider Ali
- Junaid Siddique
- Muhammad Jawadullah
UAE’s lineup featured a combination of established international performers and developing players.
Their challenge was to build partnerships against an experienced South African attack while maintaining a competitive run rate. BBC Sport+1
Why South Africa’s strategy worked
South Africa’s victory can be explained through three tactical advantages.
1. Controlling the middle overs
Bosch, Nortje and Linde consistently interrupted UAE’s batting progress. This prevented Sharafu from building substantial partnerships.
2. Restricting the death overs
UAE managed only 20 runs in their final four overs. A stronger finish could have created a more demanding chase.
3. Attacking the powerplay
Markram’s aggressive batting immediately reduced the pressure on South Africa’s middle order.
The Proteas reached 56/2 after six overs, compared with UAE’s 44/2.
South Africa’s 12-run powerplay advantage was achieved despite losing the same number of wickets.
What UAE could have done differently
UAE’s opening partnership showed that their batters could score against South Africa’s pace attack.
However, the middle order struggled to maintain momentum after the opening dismissals.
Three adjustments could have improved their position:
- Preserve wickets through the middle overs without allowing the scoring rate to stagnate.
- Build a longer partnership around Alishan Sharafu, who looked the most settled batter.
- Accelerate earlier against favorable bowling matchups rather than leaving most of the responsibility to the final overs.
These are tactical observations based on the scorecard, not guarantees that a different approach would have changed the result.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Conditions and Match Impact
The match was played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, a prominent international cricket venue in India’s capital.
The ground has hosted numerous international matches and is known for its relatively compact boundaries.
Pitch behavior during the match
Pre-match assessments suggested that the surface could provide good batting conditions, with some assistance available to fast bowlers early in the innings.
The actual contest demonstrated that disciplined bowling could still restrict scoring.
South Africa’s seamers varied their lengths effectively, while George Linde provided economical spin bowling.
The surface was not necessarily responsible for UAE’s modest total. The quality of South Africa’s bowling and UAE’s inability to maintain partnerships were more decisive.
Did the weather affect the result?
Rain delayed the start of South Africa’s chase, but the match was completed without a reduction in overs.
South Africa’s target remained 123 runs.
The weather interruption therefore did not change the required target or the official winning margin. BBC Sport+1
What the Result Meant for the T20 World Cup 2026
The outcome had different implications for the two teams.
South Africa finished the group stage unbeaten
South Africa completed their Group D fixtures with four victories from four matches.
Their unbeaten group-stage performance demonstrated consistency across batting and bowling departments.
The victory also provided an opportunity to test squad depth ahead of the Super Eight stage.
Players such as Bosch, Brevis and Rickelton made valuable contributions, strengthening South Africa’s options for subsequent matches.
UAE ended their tournament campaign
UAE entered the South Africa fixture knowing they could no longer qualify for the Super Eight stage.
Their only group-stage victory came against Canada.
Despite the defeat, Alishan Sharafu’s performance offered a positive individual takeaway.
Facing an established Full Member team in a global tournament also provided UAE’s players with experience against high-quality international opposition.
Why the difference between the teams mattered
South Africa compete as an ICC Full Member, while UAE are an Associate Member.
Full Members generally benefit from more established domestic structures and regular opportunities to compete at the highest international level.
Associate teams have made significant progress in international T20 cricket, but differences in resources, competitive exposure and squad depth can still influence results.
The February 2026 encounter demonstrated this contrast, particularly in the middle overs and during South Africa’s chase.
Where to Find the Official Scorecard and Match Highlights
For readers reviewing the match, official and established cricket sources provide detailed records.
The ICC match report covers the major performances and tournament implications.
The Cricbuzz full scorecard provides individual batting figures, bowling statistics, partnerships and fall-of-wicket information.
These records also clarify several commonly searched match details:
- Who won South Africa vs UAE? South Africa won by six wickets.
- Who was Player of the Match? Corbin Bosch, with three wickets for 12 runs.
- Who scored the most runs? Alishan Sharafu led all batters with 45.
- How quickly did South Africa chase the target? In 13.2 overs, leaving 40 deliveries unused.
- Was this their first T20I meeting? Yes, the February 2026 fixture was their first men’s T20 International encounter.
Final Thoughts on uae vs sa
The uae vs sa match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 ended in a convincing six-wicket victory for South Africa.
Corbin Bosch’s exceptional bowling restricted UAE to 122/6, despite Alishan Sharafu’s determined 45-run innings. Aiden Markram then set the pace for the chase before Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis helped South Africa secure the target in just 13.2 overs.
The result underlined South Africa’s strength and depth, completing their unbeaten Group D campaign. For UAE, the match highlighted the importance of building partnerships, maintaining momentum through the middle overs and converting promising starts into competitive totals.
The official match scorecard remains the most useful reference for understanding the performances, statistics and decisive moments of this World Cup encounter.
