T20 World Cup: De Kock hits 3,000, big wins for England, Ireland and South Africa

Saturday’s T20 World Cup 2026 action delivered thrilling cricket as England, Ireland and South Africa secured crucial victories, setting the tone for the early stages of the tournament. At Eden Gardens in Kolkata, England overcame Scotland in a tense chase, winning by five wickets with 10 balls to spare. Scotland had posted a competitive 152, led by captain Richie Berrington’s 49, but England’s chase was steadied by an unbeaten 63 from Tom Banton . His composed innings, alongside three wickets from Adil Rashid, ensured England reached 155/5 and kept their Super 8 hopes alive.

In Colombo, Ireland produced a dominant display against Oman, posting a massive 235/5 thanks to captain Lorcan Tucker’s 94 not out . A 101-run partnership between Tucker and Gareth Delany laid the foundation for Ireland’s formidable total. The bowlers then ran through Oman’s lineup, restricting them to 139 and giving Ireland a convincing 96-run win . The result not only boosts Ireland’s net run rate but also strengthens their early campaign momentum.

South Africa, meanwhile, outclassed New Zealand in Ahmedabad with a clinical seven-wicket victory . Chasing a target of around 176, the Proteas were anchored by captain Aiden Markram’s 86 , while Marco Jansen’s support at the crease ensured a comfortable chase. The match also saw Quinton de Kock reach 3,000 runs in T20 Internationals , making him the first South African batter to achieve this landmark, a major moment in both his career and South African cricket history. The win consolidates South Africa’s position in Group D and highlights their championship credentials as the tournament progresses.

Overall, the day was defined by outstanding individual performances and decisive team efforts. Banton’s calm, Tucker’s explosive batting, Markram’s leadership, and de Kock’s historic milestone were the standout highlights, while England, Ireland and South Africa’s bowlers backed up the totals with timely breakthroughs. These results have already begun to shape the group standings, making every game in the coming days increasingly important.

Looking ahead to today, Sunday, 15 February 2026, fans are witnessing more exciting clashes. West Indies are facing Nepal at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, USA are taking on Namibia at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, India versus Pakistan , is being played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The India-Pakistan encounter is drawing massive attention worldwide, with fans eagerly following every moment.