Shai Hope wants to see a more complete batting performance from West Indies going forward File

South Africa and West Indies are set to kick off their three-match T20I series with an intriguing 1st T20I at Boland Park in Paarl on January 27, offering both sides a final competitive tune-up before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins in early February. South Africa will look to leverage home conditions and fine-tune combinations after a mixed lead-up that included a recent series loss to India and some squad adjustments, while West Indies arrive with renewed confidence following a win in their last limited-overs outing despite earlier setbacks in New Zealand and the UAE.

LIVE UPDATES

27 Jan 2026, 10:28:19 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: WI 88/4 (10)

West Indies lose their fourth wicket in the form of Matthew Forde, who was dismissed for 16 by Corbin Bosche. Shimron Hetmyer (5*) has joined skipper Roston Chase (17*) to take things forward. WI have a deep batting order that gives them the freedom to keep playing hard despite losing four wickets.

27 Jan 2026, 10:06:24 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: WI 57/3 (6)

Maharaj strikes again in the powerplay! Rutherford is beaten by drift and spin, the ball sneaking off the inside edge onto the stumps as he plays from the crease. That’s his second wicket. Chase gets off the mark with a quick single, but Forde has the final say, charging down and lofting Maharaj straight back over his head for a clean six. WI 57/3 after 6 overs, momentum mixed but wickets hurting them.

27 Jan 2026, 10:05:41 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: WI 48/2 (5)

Bosch makes the breakthrough! He angles one in from wide of the crease and King tries to slog across the line, only to drag it back onto his stumps for 27 off 16. Big wicket as both openers are now gone. Rutherford gets going with a crisp boundary through cover and then gloves a sharp bumper for a single, but Bosch keeps it lively, beating Forde with extra bounce to end the over. WI 48/2 after 5 overs.

27 Jan 2026, 10:03:45 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: WI 39/1 (4)

Maharaj strikes to break the stand! He fires in a quicker slider and Charles goes for the sweep but misses completely, the ball skids on to rattle middle and off. Big breakthrough just as West Indies were scoring freely. Forde is the new batter and safely blocks out the last ball. WI 39/1 after 4 overs, King set on 23.

27 Jan 2026, 09:36:13 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: WI 10/0 (1)

Bright start for West Indies! King wastes no time, cracking back-to-back boundaries to get the innings rolling, showing positive intent against the new ball. Charles gets off the mark as they rotate strike, keeping the pressure on early. Ten runs from the opening over and WI move to 10/0, with King already looking fluent.

27 Jan 2026, 09:35:10 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: Game On

All set to begin, Brandon King on strike with Johnson Charles at the non-striker’s end. Kagiso Rabada has the new ball in hand, ready to kick off the first innings with pace and bounce.

27 Jan 2026, 09:16:18 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: Playing XI

West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase(c), Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales

South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Aiden Markram(c), Ryan Rickelton(w), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka

27 Jan 2026, 09:05:10 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: Squads

South Africa have won the toss and have opted to field.

27 Jan 2026, 09:04:29 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: Squads

South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton(w), Dewald Brevis, Aiden Markram(c), Jason Smith, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Eathan Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka

West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph

27 Jan 2026, 08:59:37 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: Weather and Pitch Report

A slow pitch, 31 degrees Celsius and no rain in Paarl on Tuesday. Swing, 29 degrees and an afternoon thunderstorm in Centurion on Thursday. Bounce, 30 degrees but no rain in Johannesburg on Saturday.

27 Jan 2026, 08:03:41 pm IST

South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I LIVE Score: Welcome!

Good evening, cricket fans! This is the start of our live blog covering the first T20I match of West Indies’ tour of South Africa. Stay tuned for pre-match and toss updates as they take place.