In a Group D match on Monday at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium here, South Africa produced an outstanding bowling display to defend the lowest score in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating Bangladesh by four runs. Spinner Keshav Maharaj claimed two wickets while defending ten runs in the final over.
Bangladesh was reduced to 109/7 in 20 overs after Maharaj took the wickets of Mahmudullah (20) and Jaker Ali (8), with 11 runs needed to successfully chase a target of 114. With their third victory in as many games, South Africa has all but guaranteed a spot in the Super 8 round.
In the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, no team had ever successfully defended a total as low as 113/6, but South Africa’s attack performed a Manhattan miracle. Following a 79-run partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller to save the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada (2/19) and Anrich Nortje (2/17) of the Pacers were instrumental in restricting Bangladesh’s batting lineup.
With his brilliant 37(34), Towhid Hridoy nearly had a winning hand, but Keshav Maharaj’s thrilling final over proved to be the difference. After getting rid of Jaker Ali (8 from 9), Maharaj came dangerously close to giving up the last few runs when Mahmudullah was caught on the fence for 20 (27) with two balls remaining and Bangladesh needing six runs to win.
And as South Africa made it three victories from three to top Group D, new batsman Taskin Ahmed was unable to hit the century off the last ball of the innings.
The top order of Bangladesh struggled through a difficult opening session in their pursuit, finishing the Powerplay on 29/1. The only player dismissed was opener Tanzid Hasan (9 from 9) after he was caught behind by Kagiso Rabada.
But through the middle overs, South Africa’s best bowlers struck back, setting up a thrilling finish.
With his first ball, Keshav Maharaj got Litton Das for 9 from 13, and Anrich Nortje removed Shakib Al Hasan (3 from 4) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (14 from 23) with ease.
Towhid Hridoy’s incredible 37 from 34 balls gave the Tigers a great opportunity, but Rabada’s leg-before-bowling trap saw him go for a leg before wicket, leaving Bangladesh five down with 20 runs needed at precisely a run a ball.
The game went down to the last over, which was bowled by spinner Maharaj. He managed to take two wickets and escape with two full tosses from the two last balls of the innings, but South Africa managed to win by a margin of only four runs.
Earlier, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, South Africa chose to bat first after winning the toss against Bangladesh.
After losing four early wickets, Heinrich Klaasen (46 from 44) and David Miller (29 from 38) struck a terrific partnership that helped the Proteas rally to 113/6. Even though Quinton de Kock scored ten runs off of the first three balls of the innings, the Tigers had the better of the first few overs.
During the Powerplay, Tanzim Hazan Sakib was largely responsible for the damage, taking out Reeza Hendricks (0 from 1), De Kock (18 from 11), and Tristan Stubbs (0 from 5). Taskin Ahmed also contributed, cleaning up captain Aiden Markram (4 from 8). After taking six wickets in the first six overs, South Africa was 25/4, but Klassen and Miller were still out in the middle, looking to salvage another wicket.
South Africa reached triple figures thanks to a strong recovery partnership between the two that was worth 79 at a run-a-ball. On a surface that provided plenty of opportunities for the bowlers, 113/6 could very well prove difficult. Both set batters fell in the final overs as they attempted to accelerate.
Brief results: South Africa defeated Bangladesh 109/7 in 20 overs (Towhid Hridoy 37, Mahmudullah 20; Keshav Maharaj 3-27, Anrich Nortje 2-17, Kagiso Rabada 2-19) by four runs, scoring 113/6 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 46, David Miller 29; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 3-18, Taskin Ahmed 2-19).
