Ahmedabad, Feb. 26 -- A sensational, counter-attacking 89-run stand for the eighth wicket between half-centurion Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder helped West Indies overcome a pace barrage from South Africa in the first half, ending their innings at 176/8 in 20 overs in a crucial ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight clash at Ahmedabad on Thursday.

At one point, WI was 83/7 in 10.2 overs, but Shepherd (52 in 37 balls, with three fours and four sixes) and Jason Holder (49 in 31 balls, with three fours and sixes) put up a brave 89-run stand, collecting 58 runs in final five overs.

After South Africa won the toss and elected to field first, skipper Shai Hope put spinner Keshav Maharaj under pressure right from word go, hammering a pull for six in...