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The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is entering its decisive phase, and the 34th match of the tournament presents a classic David vs Goliath battle in Group D. On Wednesday, 18th February 2026, the red-hot South Africa will take on the United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
As we provide our SA vs UAE 34th T20 match prediction, the stakes couldn’t be more different for the two sides. South Africa, under the brilliant leadership of Aiden Markram, are sitting pretty at the top of the Group D points table with a perfect record of three wins from three matches. They have already qualified for the Super 8s and will be looking to maintain their momentum and finish the group stage unbeaten. Their latest victory was a statement win against a strong New Zealand side, where Markram himself smashed a breathtaking 86 to chase down 175 with ease.
On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates find themselves in a tricky spot. Placed fourth with one win and two losses, they are not mathematically out of the running yet, but they need a miracle. A win against the table-toppers is essential to keep their slim hopes alive, but more importantly, they will be desperate to restore some pride after a close loss to Afghanistan. Their batting showed signs of brilliance in the last game, with Sohaib Khan smashing 68 runs, but their bowling attack, despite Junaid Siddique’s heroics, has been inconsistent.
This South Africa vs United Arab Emirates clash is a mismatch on paper, but T20 cricket has a funny way of humbling the mighty. The UAE will take inspiration from their fighting spirit and hope to cause the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | SA vs UAE, 34th T20 Match, Group D |
| Date | Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM Local Time |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
Team Preview
South Africa Team Preview
The South African cricket team has been the undisputed king of Group D, steamrolling every opposition that has come their way. With three commanding victories, including a morale-boosting win over Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, the Proteas are peaking at the right time. Their batting lineup is a terrifying prospect for any bowling attack.
Captain Aiden Markram has been in the form of his life, leading from the front with a staggering 150 runs, including a magnificent 86* off just 44 balls against New Zealand that single-handedly won them the game. Opening alongside him, the explosive Quinton de Kock provides the perfect foil, giving South Africa blazing starts. In the middle order, they possess the power-hitting of David Miller and the exciting talent of Dewald Brevis, ensuring there are no weak links. This depth allows them to chase down any total or post a mammoth score on the board.
If the batting is destructive, the bowling attack is simply lethal. They currently have the tournament’s leading wicket-taker in their ranks. Lungi Ngidi has been unplayable at times, claiming 8 wickets with his accuracy and pace. He is supported by a pace battery that is the envy of the world, including the express pace of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. This pace trio will relish the conditions in Delhi, where the pitch offers good bounce and carry.
The spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen provides excellent control in the middle overs. For this match against UAE, South Africa might be tempted to rest a few key players to keep them fresh for the Super 8s. However, given their ruthless nature under Markram, they are unlikely to take their foot off the gas. They will aim for a 4-0 clean sweep to carry maximum momentum forward.
United Arab Emirates Team Preview
For the United Arab Emirates, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been a learning curve filled with valuable lessons. Sitting fourth in Group D with one win and two losses, they have shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled to maintain consistency against top-tier opposition. Their campaign began with a loss to Canada but was revived with a hard-fought win over Namibia. In their most recent outing against Afghanistan, they produced their best batting performance of the tournament.
Despite a top-order wobble, Sohaib Khan played a captain’s knock of 68 runs off 48 balls, showcasing his class and ability to anchor an innings. Alongside him, Alishan Sharafu contributed a quickfire 40, proving that the UAE middle order has the potential to compete at this level. However, their eventual total of 160 felt under par, highlighting their inability to convert strong platforms into match-winning scores.
The bowling attack is spearheaded by the impressive Junaid Siddique, who has been a standout performer with 7 wickets, consistently troubling batters with his pace and variations. He will need support from the likes of Muhammad Jawadullah and Muhammad Farooq to contain the powerful South African lineup. The spin department, led by Simranjeet Singh, will be crucial in the middle overs to prevent the Proteas from running away with the game.
This match is a free hit for the UAE. With nothing to lose, they can play with complete freedom. If their top order can fire alongside Sohaib Khan and if Junaid Siddique can produce another magical spell with the new ball, they could just put the mighty South Africans under pressure. A win here would be the greatest achievement in UAE’s cricketing history.
Team Squad
South Africa Squad:
Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.
UAE Squad:
Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh.
Probable Playing XI
South Africa Probable Playing XI:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje.
UAE Probable Playing XI:
Aryansh Sharma (wk), Muhammad Waseem (c), Alishan Sharafu, Sohaib Khan, Mayank Kumar, Dhruv Parashar, Simranjeet Singh, Muhammad Farooq, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Haider Ali.
Fantasy Team XI
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Wicket-Keeper | Quinton de Kock | South Africa |
| Wicket-Keeper | Aryansh Sharma | UAE |
| Batter | Aiden Markram | South Africa |
| Batter | David Miller | South Africa |
| Batter | Sohaib Khan | UAE |
| All-Rounder | Marco Jansen | South Africa |
| All-Rounder | George Linde | South Africa |
| All-Rounder | Simranjeet Singh | UAE |
| Bowler | Lungi Ngidi | South Africa |
| Bowler | Kagiso Rabada | South Africa |
| Bowler | Junaid Siddique | UAE |
Creating a fantasy XI for this SA vs UAE clash requires a strategy of loading up on dominant South African players while picking a few high-value UAE match-winners who can provide differential points. We start with the wicket-keepers: South Africa’s explosive opener Quinton de Kock is a must-have for his powerplay blitzes, while UAE’s Aryansh Sharma is a reliable top-order batter who can accumulate runs .
The batting lineup is heavily South African. Captain Aiden Markram is the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer and in sublime touch, fresh off an 86* . David Miller is the ultimate finisher, capable of turning the game in a few overs. From UAE, Sohaib Khan is their best batter and an automatic pick after his brilliant 68-run knock .
The all-rounder department is crucial for balance. Marco Jansen provides left-arm pace and big-hitting lower down the order. George Linde offers spin-bowling options and power-hitting, making him a valuable asset on the Delhi track. UAE’s Simranjeet Singh is their lead spinner and a handy batter, providing crucial utility points .
The bowling attack is spearheaded by South Africa’s pace trio. Lungi Ngidi is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 8 scalps and a prime captaincy candidate . Kagiso Rabada is a wicket-taker with the new ball. From UAE, Junaid Siddique is a must-have, having taken 7 wickets and being their sole genuine wicket-taking threat . This combination of world-class pacers and in-form batters provides a solid foundation.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:
- Captain: Lungi Ngidi (Leading wicket-taker of the tournament, in devastating form with the ball).
- Vice-Captain: Aiden Markram (In sublime touch with the bat, captain, and likely to be the top scorer).
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team:
- Tristan Stubbs (SA): With the South African top order firing, Stubbs may not get enough time in the middle to make a significant fantasy impact. He is a high-risk pick.
- Muhammad Waseem (UAE): The UAE captain has failed in his last two outings and looks vulnerable against high-quality pace. Against Rabada and Ngidi, he is likely to struggle, making him a risky captaincy choice.
Pitch Report
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is renowned for being a batting paradise. The pitch is flat, the boundaries are short, and the outfield is lightning fast, making it one of the highest-scoring venues in India. Pacers get minimal assistance, while spinners have to rely on variations to survive. Batting first is a massive advantage, as totals of 200+ are common here.
Weather Report
Delhi will experience bright and sunny weather with clear skies. There is no chance of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted day of cricket. Temperatures will be around 26°C, ideal for batting.
Toss Prediction
On a flat deck like Delhi, batting first is the preferred option. Captains love to put runs on the board and let the scoreboard pressure do the rest. We predict South Africa will win the toss and bat first.
Probable Best Batter & Bowler
Probable Best Batter: Aiden Markram (South Africa)
Aiden Markram is in the form of his life. With 150 runs already, including a breathtaking 86 against a quality New Zealand attack, he looks unstoppable. On the flat Delhi pitch, he will have the perfect platform to showcase his full array of strokes. Expect him to anchor the innings and play the role of the aggressor, making him the most probable top scorer.
Probable Best Bowler: Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)
Lungi Ngidi has been the standout bowler of the tournament, claiming 8 wickets with his lethal pace and accuracy. On the Delhi track, while it’s flat, his ability to bowl yorkers at the death and extract bounce makes him a threat. Against a relatively inexperienced UAE lineup, he is primed to add a few more wickets to his tally.
Match Prediction
This is a massive mismatch on paper. South Africa are the form team of the tournament, boasting a world-class batting lineup and the leading wicket-taker. UAE have fought hard but lack the firepower to compete with the Proteas’ pace attack. Expect South Africa to win comfortably, likely by a large margin, to complete a perfect group stage campaign.
Our Winner: South Africa Will Win
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