New Delhi: Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd stitched a mammoth stand to power West Indies to competitive total in a crucial T20 World Cup Super Eight clash against South Africa on Thursday. After West Indies were struggling at 83/7 in the 11th over of the innings after being put into bat first, Holder and Shepherd added 89 runs in the last 9 overs to bail out the side from a precarious position.

West Indies ended up scoring 176/8 in the stipulated 20 overs, with Shepherd unbeaten on 52 runs while Holder scoring 49 runs. In perhaps the most crucial clash of the marquee event which decides the fate of the side, the two batters stood tall with one of the greatest partnerships for the side which is slowly getting back on the track with their performances.

West in the first 13 overs – 97/7.

West Indies in the last 7 overs – 79/1.

A STRONG FINISH BY THE WINDIES. pic.twitter.com/Kg7qyINu0K

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Holder, Shepherd lead WI comeback

Meanwhile, Shepherd scored 52 off just 37 balls studded with 4 sixes and 3 boundaries while Holder smashed 49 off 31 balls including 3 sixes and 4 boundaries. Earlier, Brandon King and Shai Hope showed some power with the bat by scoring 21 and 16 runs respectively but their stay was cut short the Proteas bowlers.

Lungi Ngidi proved to be the star for the Proteas unit picking up 3 wickets while Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch claimed two wickets apiece to push the West Indies batters against the wall. But their brilliant effort was put in vain by the two West Indians who dealt with tremendous pressure rescue the side.

Highest partnerships for 8th wicket or lower in T20Is

132* – Saber Zakhil, Saqlain Ali (BEL) vs Austria, Waterloo, 2021
89 – Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder (WI) vs SA, Ahmedabad, 2026
88* – Chernoh Bah, Lansana Lamin (SLE) vs Eswatini, Abuja, 2024
80 – Preston Mommsen, Safyaan Sharif (SCOT) vs NED, Edinburgh, 2015
78 – Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer (WI) vs NZ, Nelson, 2025