ZIM vs SA: Why did Kagiso Rabada miss T20 World Cup 2026 match 51?
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Kagiso Rabada featured in the previous two Super 8 games against the West Indies and India.
South Africa are clashing with Zimbabwe in their last game of the Super 8 round in the T20 World Cup 2026. The SA vs ZIM clash is taking place at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, March 1.
While Zimbabwe have been eliminated from the tournament, South Africa have booked a berth in the semi-finals. Zimbabwe lost their previous Super 8 games against the West Indies and India. On the other hand, South Africa had defeated both these teams in their first two matches.
The Aiden Markram & Co. currently grab the top spot in the Group 1 points table with four points. With a victory against Zimbabwe, they will finish as the table toppers, and India and the West Indies will not be able to leapfrog them.
Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first. At the toss, South Africa captain Aiden Markram announced three changes to their playing XI. Surprisingly, senior pacer Kagiso Rabada was absent from the match. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj were the other two players not part of the game.
Why is Kagiso Rabada not playing against Zimbabwe?
Markram revealed that they have rested three players for the match as it is a dead-rubber game for them. Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje, and George Linde were added to the playing XI as replacements.
Speaking about the playing XI at the toss, Markram said,“We’ve got three changes: Kwena Maphaka, Anrich Nortje and George Linde are in. Rest for some of the players, but also a chance for some who’ve worked hard behind the scenes. You never know what happens in the semifinals, if someone pulls up, so some time under their legs. So the idea is to get them running”.
Notably, Rabada is the most experienced pacer in the Proteas’ squad. He has done a decent job in the tournament so far, picking four wickets in six matches at an economy of 7.98. He clinched a two-wicket haul in the previous game against West Indies. Meanwhile, below are the playing XI of both teams for the match.
Zimbabwe Playing XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
South Africa Playing XI: Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi.
Why is Kagiso Rabada not playing against Zimbabwe?
Rabada has been rested for the match.
Who won the toss in SA vs ZIM match?
Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first in the encounter.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.