South Africa has already secured their place in the Super 8 stage after winning all three of their Group D matches. They now wrap up their group campaign against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 18, 2026.
This is a dead rubber in terms of standings, but the Proteas will look to stay sharp and maintain momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, bowed out of the tournament after losing to both New Zealand and Afghanistan, with their only win coming against Canada. For the UAE, pride and performance are now the only things at stake.
South Africa vs UAE Match Preview
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs UAE, T20 World Cup 34th Match |
| Date | 18 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Context | Final Group D match; South Africa already qualified, UAE already eliminated |
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly with a dry, hard surface |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 160-165 in T20Is at this venue |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace helps early; spin grows into the game |
| Toss Factor | Bowling is first preferred in day games for fresh pitch moisture |
| Boundary Size | Square boundaries around 60-67 metres |
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 11–25°C (18–24°C during match) |
| Sky | Mostly sunny; slight chance of light rain |
| Rain Chance | Low but not negligible; IMD flags light rain |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Overall | Good conditions; light rain is a minor risk |
Toss Prediction
The toss will matter in this day game at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The pitch tends to offer early movement for pacers, and the surface can be slightly moist in the morning. However, the pitch at this venue has historically favoured teams that bat first and post a total, as the surface can slow down later. That said, recent T20s at this ground have seen the chasing team do well too. Expect the toss winner to assess conditions and likely choose to field first to take advantage of any early swing.
Injury Updates
South Africa: South Africa has no fresh injury concerns heading into this match.
UAE: The15-member squad has been available throughout. No fresh injury concerns have been reported.
Dream11 Team For South Africa vs UAE
South Africa vs UAE Head-to-Head Records in T20Is
South Africa and the UAE have never met in a T20 International match. The two sides have faced each other only in ODI cricket, most recently in the 1996 and 2015 Cricket World Cups, with South Africa winning both games by large margins. This will be their first-ever T20I meeting, making it a historic fixture.
Suggested Reads:
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Aiden Markram (SA) | Tournament-best 86* vs NZ; fastest WC fifty for SA (19 balls) |
| Lungi Ngidi (SA) | 7 wickets in 3 matches in this WC at an economy of 7.65 |
| Marco Jansen (SA) | Took 4 wickets vs NZ; first four-wicket haul in T20Is for him |
| David Miller (SA) | Finisher role; clutch performances in Super Overs vs AFG |
| Junaid Siddique (UAE) | Maiden five-wicket haul this WC; most first-over wickets in T20Is since 2024 |
| Sohaib Khan (UAE) | Scored 68 off 48 balls with six fours and four sixes vs AFG |
