NEW DELHI: New Zealand national cricket team spinners delivered a clinical display before a fierce counterattack from Marco Jansen lifted South Africa national cricket team to a competitive 169 for 8 in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.

On a surface where stroke play was not straightforward, off spinner Cole McConchie (2/9 in 1 over) and left arm spinner Rachin Ravindra (2/29 in 4 overs) applied the squeeze on a star packed Proteas top order that paid for loose shot selection.

Eventually, Jansen (54 not out off 30 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (29 off 24 balls) staged a recovery act, ensuring the bowlers had something to defend in the second half.

The pair stitched together 73 runs for the sixth wicket after South Africa had slipped to 77 for 5 at the halfway stage.

Dew and Determination Shift Momentum

As the innings wore on, dew began to settle in and the pitch that had earlier offered grip started to ease out, with the ball coming on better to the bat and making scoring simpler.

Jansen, fast emerging as one of the premier all rounders in the modern game, cleared the ropes five times, with several hits sailing 10 to 15 rows back in a fine exhibition of power and timing.

His two towering sixes off Lockie Ferguson in the penultimate over will surely hearten Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi ahead of the chase.

Early Strikes Set the Tone

After opting to bowl, Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner handed the new ball to McConchie for the second over. It proved to be his only over, yet he made it count by dismissing Quinton de Kock (10) and Ryan Rickelton (0) off successive deliveries.

De Kock fell to a shorter delivery that tempted a slog which failed to clear the inner ring. Rickelton, meanwhile, chased a flighted ball outside off stump and edged it after failing to shift his weight during the cut attempt.

Dewald Brevis (34 off 27 balls) looked fluent and in control before James Neesham removed him.

Ravindra then inflicted further damage. Aiden Markram (18) picked out a fielder in the deep, while David Miller (6) miscued an aerial shot.

When Brevis was caught at covers by Santner off a clever change of pace from Neesham, New Zealand were firmly on top with South Africa reeling at 77 for 5.

However, Jansen had other plans. Alongside Stubbs, he mounted a spirited fightback during their 73 run partnership. Despite losing a cluster of wickets in the final two overs, the Proteas managed to push close to the 170 mark, though they fell short of 175.

(With PTI Inputs)