Lungi Ngidi has emerged as the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in T20Is.
T20 World Cup 2026: Lungi Ngidi Surpasses Veteran Star To Become South Africa's Leading Wicket-Taker In T20Is. (Credits: Proteas Men X)
South Africa's wily seamer Lungi Ngidi has passed fellow countryman Tabraiz Shamsi to become their highest T20I wicket-taker for them in T20I cricket. Ngidi, one of the top performers for South Africa with the ball in this World Cup, now has 90 T20I wickets under his belt, overtaking the left-arm wrist-spinner.
Shamsi, 36, last played in the shortest format for the Proteas during the T20 World Cup 2024 at Bridgetown in Barbados. The veteran, who has 89 scalps in 70 appearances, had taken underwhelming figures of 3-0-26-0 as the Men in Blue had triumphed South Africa by seven runs to lift the coveted trophy. Shamsi has also notably dropped out of South Africa's central contract list as well.
Ngidi, meanwhile, reached the milestone in the 11th over of the innings when he dismissed Ryan Burl by trapping him lbw for 5.
Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup 2024 runners-up have maintained their unbeaten run so far in this T20 World Cup as they thwarted Zimbabwe by five wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Captained by Aiden Markram, South Africa limited Zimbabwe to 153/7 in 20 overs. Although Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza stood out with his 73 off 41 deliveries, he couldn't find much support from the other batters.
Defending a modest total, Zimbabwe did make some early inroads, including dismissing openers Markram (4) and Quinton de Kock (0) quite cheaply. But brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis (42), Ryan Rickelton (31) and George Linde (30*) propelled South Africa over the line in Delhi with five wickets and 13 deliveries to spare. Raza also stood out with the ball, picking up outstanding figures of 4-0-29-3 but Zimbabwe remained winless in Super 8.
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