NEW DELHI: Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with a flamboyant half-century, guiding South Africa to a commanding 213 for four against Canada in their Group D T20 World Cup clash on Monday.

Sent in to bat, Markram (59 off 32 balls) unleashed a flurry of boundaries, hitting three off Dilon Heyliger in the second over.

Quinton de Kock (25 off 22 balls) followed suit, punishing Saad Bin Zafar with two consecutive fours, including one over long-off.

The pair continued their aggressive approach, picking up boundaries and sixes, stitching together a 70-run opening stand in just 6.5 overs.

South Africa suffered their first setback with the dismissal of De Kock, who was cleaned up by skipper and right-arm pacer Dilpreet Bajwa.

Markram remained in ominous form, bringing up his fifty with a boundary off Bajwa in just 28 balls in the 10th over.

Ryan Rickelton also impressed, hitting three fours and a six during his 21-ball 31-run innings.

Late Blast Powers Proteas to 213

Markram’s innings finally ended when left-arm spinner Ansh Patel had him caught at long-on by Heyliger.

Soon after, Rickelton fell, handing a straightforward catch to Harsh Thaker off Patel’s bowling.

Dewald Brevis too couldn’t make an impact, being caught at mid-off by Nicholas Kirton in the same over, dealing a double blow to South Africa.

Towards the end, veteran David Miller (39 not out off 23 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (34 off 19 balls) joined forces to power the Proteas to a massive total. Their unbeaten 75-run fifth-wicket partnership came off just 37 balls.

Miller was in devastating touch in the final overs, dispatching sixes at will.

For Canada, left-arm spinner Ansh Patel was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/31.

(With PTI Inputs)