Dewald Brevis flexed his power-hitting credentials with a flurry of towering sixes as South Africa national cricket team cruised to a comfortable six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in their final T20 World Cup group-stage match on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest 123, the Proteas completed the job in just 13.1 overs. Captain Aiden Markram set the tone with a blistering 28 off 11 balls, while Brevis followed up with a fluent 36 off 25 deliveries. Ryan Rickelton added further impetus, smashing 30 off 16 balls in a commanding batting display.

With a crucial Super Eights clash against India looming on Sunday, South Africa would have been encouraged by Brevis’ return to rhythm. His pull shot off left-arm seamer Muhammad Jawadullah sailed high into the stands, and he later hammered spinner Haider Ali over extra cover with authority. A slower delivery from Mohammed Arfan was dispatched into the cow corner as the chase wrapped up swiftly.

Earlier, UAE posted 122 for 6 after being asked to bat. Young Alishan Sharafu top-scored with 45 off 38 balls but survived two dropped catches during his innings.

Playing his first game of the tournament, Anrich Nortje made an immediate impact with figures of 2 for 28. With Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen rested ahead of the India encounter in Ahmedabad, Nortje and Corbin Bosch (3 for 12) maintained relentless pace and discipline to keep the UAE batsmen under pressure.

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem struck a quickfire 22 off 12 balls, but left-arm spinner George Linde provided the breakthrough by trapping him leg-before while attempting a sweep.

Beyond Sharafu’s resistance, the UAE struggled to cope with South Africa’s pace and bounce. Sohaib Khan, fresh from consecutive half-centuries, edged Bosch to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

The UAE innings featured only 10 boundaries in total, nine of which came from Sharafu and Waseem combined — underlining their lack of collective impact.

A light drizzle set in shortly after the innings concluded, prompting ground staff to cover the pitch, but South Africa had already seized control and ensured a clinical finish to their group campaign.