T20 World Cup 2021 AUS Vs SA T20 ; Australia win by 5 wickets

Australia beat South Africa by five wickets in their opening Super 12 Group 1 match of the T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Australia chased down the target of 119 in 19.4 overs with Steve Smith scoring 34-ball 35. For South Africa, Anrich Nortje took two wickets while Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi got one each.

Earlier, electing to bowl, Australia restricted South Africa to a meagre 118 for nine. Aiden Markram scored 40 for the Proteas after their top-order crumbled.

Kagiso Rabada was the next best batter for them with an unbeaten 19-run knock at number eight.

Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood (2/19) and Mithcell Starc (2/31) took two wickets apiece while spinner Adam Zampa (2/21) also accounted for two batters.