South Africa started their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign with a 57-run victory over Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The Proteas, who finished as runners-up in 2024, set a total of 213-4 before a strong bowling performance, led by Lungi Ngidi (4-31), restricted Canada to 156-8.

Openers Aiden Markram (59 from 32) and Quinton de Kock (25) scored at 11 an over in the powerplay before the latter was bowled by Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa (1-40).

Markram kept scoring at a rapid rate, while Ryan Rickleton added 33 and big hitting at the death from David Miller (39 not out) and Tristan Stubbs (34no) saw South Africa set a more than competitive total.

And Canada were off to a nightmare start with the bat as Ngidi dismissed Bajwa (0) with the very first ball of the innings, while the seamer also removed Yuvraj Samra (12) and Nicholas Kirton (4) in his first two overs.

Navneet Dhaliwal (64 from 49) offered some hope for the associate nation, but he was caught in the deep off the bowling of Corbin Bosch (1-27) as the Proteas secured a routine win.

 MATCH RESULT #TheProteas kick off their #T20WorldCup campaign in style with a well-controlled 57-run victory against Canada! 

From a clinical batting display in the first innings to decisive bowling in the second, presenting a complete team performance. … pic.twitter.com/UjqfkZZsTt

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 9, 2026

Elsewhere on Monday, Italy's first-ever T20 World Cup match was spoiled by Scotland, who won by 73 runs at Eden Gardens.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, started their campaign with a comfortable win over Oman in Colombo, moving to the top of Group B with an eight-wicket victory.

Data Debrief: Dhaliwal impresses for Canada

Canada had reduced South Africa to 138-4 when Dewald Brevis fell for just 6, but their hopes were all but ended by the exploits of Miller and Stubbs. Miller had three maximums in his innings, while Stubbs' 34 came off just 19 deliveries.

While there were no major upsets in the day's action, Canada and the other losing sides were able to leave with some positives.

Dhaliwal's 64, which included seven fours and one maximum, is the highest individual score by a Canadian player at the T20 World Cup,

The 73-run partnership between Italy's Ben and Harry Manenti, meanwhile, was the second-highest by a pair of brothers in the competition, after Kamran and Umar Akmal's 96-run stand for Pakistan in 2014.

And at the age of 44 years and 81 days, Oman's Aamir Kaleem became the oldest player in men's T20 World Cup history.