Finn Allen's blistering century led New Zealand to a stunning nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup.
South Africa begins their T20 World Cup campaign against Canada, while Zimbabwe faces Oman in another match. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe aim to make a strong impact in the tournament.
The tears flowed freely for the South African players as they realised the trophy they had fought so hard for was once again out of reach.
South Africa beat Australia by five wickets to win World Test Championship
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has received over one million ticket applications for the ODI World Cup 2027, with the India vs. Pakistan match being the most sought-after, attracting over 100,000 applications. Other high-demand matches include South Africa vs. India and India vs. Australia. The tournament will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 2 to November 21 next year.
Nic Maddinson has been added to Australia's Test squad for the series against South Africa, marking a significant comeback over a year after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. He joins reserve wicketkeeper Sam Harper, as Josh Inglis is out with a fractured finger and Cameron Green is being monitored for an abdominal strain. Maddinson, who last played a Test in 2016, has shown strong form recently, including a century in the One-Day Cup.
We need to back ourselves to keep Smriti Mandhana quiet: SA's De Klerk
South Africa romped to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test on Thursday, claiming victory before lunch to level the two-match series.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram said their Test victory over hosts Pakistan in difficult conditions was a major confidence boost for the tourists, who will be heading to India next and expect an even sterner test.
In the league stage, South Africa suffered two heavy defeats and their batting came apart against spin in both games.
A rampaging England thrashed South Africa by 342 runs in the third and final ODI in Southampton on Sunday to register the biggest victory in men's One-Day Internationals.
South Africa's fast bowler Anrich Nortje is on the verge of a surprising return to Test cricket after nearly four years, potentially bolstering an injury-hit Proteas attack against Australia in the first Test starting Friday in Durban.
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad denied they "choked" in their T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, preferring to call their nine-wicket defeat a sound "walloping".
With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, India would want their captain Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his rhythm sooner rather than later.
South Africa's long wait for a men's world title - could be written on Saturday. And if they succeed, don't be surprised if 'Lucky Charm de Villiers' trends again.
Wolvaardt, Tazmin fire South Africa to 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in truncated game
The two four-day games will be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from October 30 to November 9.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 188 off 79 balls for Titans, breaking Chris Gayle's T20 record with 13 sixes and 15 fours before narrowly missing a double century.
South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada is in contention to play in the first Test against Australia, starting Friday, despite a recent hamstring injury, with a final decision expected at the last minute.
Gill back in full flow, Hardik opts out of practice ahead of SA T20I series
Rishabh Pant's return to competitive cricket after a three-month injury-enforced hiatus will be the primary focal point of India A's four-day match against South Africa A.
A South African side missing several regulars will resume on 49 for one on the third morning after Zimbabwe made 251 in reply to the tourists' first-innings score of 418 for nine declared.
South Africa, featuring a squad with rested regulars, defeated Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the Tri-Series final in Windhoek. Opener Jordan Hermann's 53 runs and strong bowling performances from Bjorn Fortuin and Duan Jansen secured the trophy for the Proteas.
India is reportedly exploring an ODI series in South Africa before the 2027 World Cup, a move initiated by the team management to gain crucial exposure to conditions and fine-tune preparations for the tournament.
Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen will lead South Africa during next month's Twenty20 tri-series with New Zealand and hosts Zimbabwe, with four uncapped players in the squad, Cricket South Africa said on Thursday.
On paper, Pakistan are no match for South Africa even though Fatima Sana's team did win an ODI in the bilateral series that served as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Suresh Raina backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's experience and trophy-winning pedigree, saying their presence gives India a "90 per cent chance" of winning the World Cup.
South Africa go into the five-day clash at Lord's, which starts on Wednesday, as underdogs but Conrad struck an optimistic tone at a press conference on Monday.
'Bosch is new to the international scene, but he's really fit in well. To see him conquer both facets (bat and ball) in this Test was really special.'
New Zealand vs Pakistan women's WC game abandoned due to rain, SA qualify for semis
South African opener Jordan Hermann smashed an unbeaten 150 runs off just 126 balls on his One Day International (ODI) debut against Namibia, equalling the world record for the highest score by a batter on ODI debut.
The Proteas arrive high on confidence, having fought out a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month under challenging conditions.
South Africa ended 27 years of hurt by beating Australia at Lord's to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025.
The ICC has announced the schedule for the men's World Cup, detailing India's opening match against Australia, a crucial clash with Pakistan, and other group stage fixtures, along with the dates and venues for the semi-finals and final.
Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to the Indian team, smashing a blistering half-century to power India to a thumping 101-run win over South Africa in the first T20 International.
South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been named in their Twenty20 International squad for the five-match series against India next month, the first time he will have played for the side since the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Opener Saim Ayub scored a quickfire 71 from 38 balls and seamer Faheem Ashraf took 4/23 as Pakistan cruised to a nine-wicket win over South Africa in the second T20I.
Images from the fifth T20 International between India and South Africa, in Ahmedabad, on Friday.
Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 153 on debut and Corbin Bosch an unbeaten maiden century as a much-changed South Africa reached 418 for nine on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Walter, who took charge in March 2023, has played an instrumental role in South Africa's recent successes on the global stage.
