The South Africa vs UAE match at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 18 is set to be the most one-sided match of Group D. Yet T20 cricket has shredded bigger certainties than this.
The Proteas arrive carrying four wins, a net run rate of +1.477, and a batting lineup that posted 213 against Canada without hitting top gear.
UAE brings a minus -0.797 net run rate, one win from three games, and nothing left to lose. That combination makes them dangerous. UAE’s qualification depends on the result of this match between SA and the Emirates. South Africa vs UAE time is 11:00 AM IST.
Every ball matters for the UAE. South Africa, meanwhile, wants a net run rate boost ahead of the Super Eights. While the T20 prediction heavily favors South Africa, the UAE, led by Waseem, has demonstrated their capability by beating Canada and narrowly losing to Afghanistan. Expect fire before the result arrives.
Table of Contents
Match Details of SA vs UAE
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | South Africa vs UAE (Match 34) |
| Date & Time | Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 11:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar App & Website |
| Tickets | BookMyShow |
How Both Teams Arrived Here
South Africa began their campaign with a 57-run demolition of Canada, posting 213 runs without breaking a sweat. They then faced Afghanistan in a high-pressure game that went to a Super Over, and the Proteas held their nerve to take it.
Their biggest result came against New Zealand, a composed seven-wicket chase that confirmed their Super Eight spot. Three wins from three. Net run rate at a healthy plus 1.477. Markram and his men enter this fixture full of confidence and settled in their roles.
The UAE took a different path. They crashed out of the tournament opener, losing to New Zealand by 10 wickets. A five-wicket recovery win over Canada steadied things. However, they then lost narrowly to Afghanistan, which seriously dented their qualification chances.
Their net run rate sits at minus 1.030. Only a win by a big enough margin can keep their hopes alive.
Pitch Report: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Delhi’s surface has favoured bowlers in all four matches played there so far. Batters who step in without intent find themselves in trouble quickly. The pitch tends to offer seam movement early, making the first six overs critical for both batting and bowling sides.
Spinners have grown more effective from over 10 to 16 as the surface grips. Historically, teams batting first at this ground average around 155. The toss matters. Captains winning the toss tend to bowl first to exploit early moisture. Expect a low-to-mid-scoring contest with wickets falling in clusters.
Predicted Playing XIs
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
UAE: Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Syed Haider, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Haider Ali, Simranjeet Singh, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawad Ullah
3 Tactical Keys That Will Decide This Match
1. The Powerplay Battle Decides Everything
Quinton de Kock attacks from ball one. If Junaid Siddique and Simranjeet Singh fail to create pressure in the first six overs, South Africa can post 60-plus inside the Powerplay and run away with the match. UAE must take at least one top-order wicket before the seventh over to stay in the contest. One loose over from either opening bowler gets punished hard by de Kock or Brevis.
2. Spin Versus the Middle Order
Muhammad Arfan carries an economy rate of 6.59 across nine recent matches. That discipline makes him the UAE’s most dangerous weapon during overs 10 to 15. His job is to strangle Tristan Stubbs and David Miller before either reaches 30. South Africa’s middle order thrives on width and pace. Arfan must keep the ball full, straight, and tight. One bad over to Miller ends the contest.
3. UAE’s Top Order Must Survive Ngidi and Rabada
Lungi Ngidi has taken 14 wickets in his last seven outings at a strike rate of 10.35. Kagiso Rabada bowls yorkers at will and consistently extracts bounce on hard Delhi surfaces. UAE’s top three must survive at least eight overs against this pair. If Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu can reach the 12th over together, the UAE has a platform worth fighting for. If either falls cheaply, the chase becomes unrealistic.
Key Players to Watch
Quinton de Kock (SA): De Kock averages 42.56 in recent T20 cricket with a strike rate of 178.97. He consistently dominates the Powerplay. A quick start from him shapes the tone of the entire innings.
Dewald Brevis (SA): “Baby AB” carries a career T20 strike rate of 171.32 and a recent high score of 125 not out. He provides the boundary-hitting firepower in the middle order that turns 150 into 190 inside four overs.
Lungi Ngidi (SA): The most dangerous bowler in this fixture. Ngidi has 14 wickets in his last seven games and strikes every two overs on average. UAE’s openers face him fresh. That is a brutal start for any batting side.
Alishan Sharafu (UAE): Sharafu has scored 346 runs in his last ten matches. He anchors innings, keeps the score building, and gives lower-order batters something to target. UAE desperately needs 40-plus from him.
Muhammad Waseem (UAE): The UAE captain averages 33.88 recently and stands as the only batter in this lineup capable of clearing the ropes against elite pace. His intent in the first 10 balls sets the UAE’s entire batting mood.
South Africa vs UAE Prediction
South Africa wins this match comfortably. Their bowling attack is too strong, their batting lineup too deep, and their current form too consistent for the UAE to handle on a bowler-friendly Delhi surface.
UAE will show spirit. Waseem and Sharafu can stitch a partnership. Junaid Siddique can grab a wicket or two. But sustaining pressure across 40 overs against this Proteas side is beyond their current squad depth.
South Africa wins by 40-plus runs or with at least 7 wickets in hand if chasing.
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