Cool South Africa edge out West Indies to enter semi-final of T20 World Cup
North Sound (Antigua) (PTI): South Africa's golden generation of white-ball cricketers took a big step towards erasing the "eternal chokers" tag by keeping their composure to enter the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, beating a formidable West Indies by three wickets in a thrilling rain-truncated Super 8s game here.
After part-time magician and full-time wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3/27), along with his slow bowling colleagues Keshav Maharaj (1/24) and skipper Aiden Markram (1/28), restricted West Indies to a manageable 135 for 8, South Africa achieved the revised target of 123 with five balls to spare.
The Proteas were 15/2 in two overs when rain disrupted proceedings.
With this win, South Africa topped Group 1 followed by defending champions England as the second semifinalist from it.
Tristan Stubbs (29 off 27 balls), one of the most talked-about among young T20 batters, set up the chase in company of Heinrich Klaasen (22 off 10 balls) for the South Africans.
But it was Marco Jansen (21 not out off 14 balls), who hit a beautiful six down the ground off the first ball of the 17th over bowled by left-arm pacer Obed McCoy to seal the deal.
Equally praiseworthy was Kagiso Rabada's copybook cover drive off Roston Chase when South Africa required 9 off 7 balls.
"Lot of relief to get through to the semifinal. We would have liked to be a lot more convincing," said South African skipper Aiden Markram.
In a contest that was headlined by the most revered names in T20 history, two under-rated cricketers held forte.
Barbados' Roston Chase (52 and 3/12), who year-after-year goes unsold in the IPL and Jansen, who displayed the less talked-about virtue of composure, much required in down-the-wire chases.
It was an unfair rain-rule in the 1992 ODI World Cup that saw South Africa bow out of the semi-finals against England and often the Proteas found ways to lose important games of cricket.
But on Sunday night in North Sound, the one hour rain delay did a world of good for their batters as the pitch suddenly became better for batting with the ball skidding and coming on easily.
Also unforgettable was how left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (1/20), lost his length. His only over cost 20 which did contribute a lot to the co-hosts' defeat.
In a game full of T20 prima donnas, it was the Stubbs, Klaasens, Millers and Markrams who had the last laugh over the Andre Russells, Rovman Powells and Nicholas Poorans.
On a track where ball wasn't always coming on to the bat, the South African spin troika was excellent with five wickets shared between Markram, Keshav Maharaj and Shamsi for 79 run in 12 cumulative overs.
Skipper Markram, who opened the bowling did a stellar job by removing opposition's most destructive batter Nicholas Pooran (1), inviting him to go for a heave, only to hole out at long-off.
Kyle Mayers (35 off 34) and West Indies' most useful player across formats -- Roston Chase (52 off 42 balls) -- carried out a commendable rescue act with 81 runs added for the third wicket in little under 11 overs.
At 86 for two, the duo had built the platform for a respectable total with big hitters like Andre Russell and Rovman Powell still in the dug-out but things changed drastically due to the way Shamsi and Maharaj bowled.
Both were not afraid to toss the ball up and entice the batters to go for expansive drives and it did pay dividends.
Maharaj bowled a dream delivery for a classical left-arm spinner to get rid of of West Indies skipper Powell.
Maharaj flighted one above his eyeline, drawing Powell forward but it dipped late and then turned away after pitching only for De Kock to complete the stumping.
Shamsi, at the other end was dead accurate, not trying to turn too much, and pitching his deliveries in the leg-middle line not giving batters room to manoeuvre. Both Mayers and Chase were dismissed trying to free the shackles.
Skipper Markram's planning was impeccable and Kagiso Rabada was only brought into the attack in the 18th over and bowled a couple of overs.
Andre Russell, who hit a couple of sixes off Anrich Nortje, could have inflicted more damage but a direct throw from the bowler during a Rabada over found the all-rounder short of his ground and ended the hosts' chances of crossing the 150-run mark.
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22 students hospitalised post-lunch at Telangana school; probe underway
Hyderabad, Nov 26: At least 22 students from a government school in Telangana's Narayanpet district were hospitalised on Tuesday after complaining of headaches and stomach aches. Officials are investigating whether the illness was linked to the lunch served at the school.
The affected students had also eaten snacks from nearby bakeries and shops, and samples have been collected for laboratory testing, according to the District Educational Officer (DEO), based on preliminary information.
Over 400 students, along with district authorities, the school headmaster, and teachers, had the mid-day meal at Zilla Parishad High School in Maganoor on Tuesday. However, 22 students began experiencing symptoms of headaches, stomach pain, and vomiting at 3.30 pm.
They were admitted to a hospital, where doctors confirmed they were safe after treatment, the official said. One student who vomited claimed the potatoes and brinjal were inadequately cooked, while another had a stomach ache.
It was alleged that the affected students fell ill after having lunch, though they had also eaten snacks from outside the school. District authorities are investigating the matter from all angles, said a senior official.
This incident follows a similar case on November 20, when 17 students from the same school were hospitalised after consuming a mid-day meal.
