In a New York nailbiter, South Africa defeated Bangladesh in records.
Although no side had ever successfully defended a score as low as 113/6 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history, South Africa’s offense performed a Manhattan miracle to all-but seal their qualification for the Super 8 stage.
After Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller saved the Proteas with a 79-run stand, Pacers Kagiso Rabada (2/19) and Anrich Nortje (2/17) were vital in restricting the Bangladesh batting line-up.
With his brilliant 37 (34), Towhid Hridoy nearly had a winning hand; nevertheless, Keshav Maharaj’s thrilling last over decided everything. With Maumudullah caught on the fence for 20 (27) Bangladesh needing six to win from the final two deliveries, Maharaj was inches away from handing down the winning runs after dismissing Jaker Ali (8 from 9).
And new batsman Taskin Ahmed couldn’t find the best off the closing ball of the innings as South Africa made three wins from three to top Group D.
With opener Tanzid Hasan (9 from 9) the only batsman eliminated – caught behind off Kagiso Rabada – the Bangladesh top order dropped through a tough opening phase in their chase, ending the Powerplay on 29/1.
But leading bowlers from South Africa strike back through the middle overs to create a nailbiter.
With his first ball, Keshav Maharaj got Litton Das for 9 from 13; Anrich Nortje caused damage removing Najmul Hossain Shanto (14 from 23) and Shakib Al Hasan (3 from 4).
Towhid Hridoy gave the Tigers a great chance with a perfect innings of 37 from 34 balls; only for the game to turn once in momentum when he was trapped lbw by Rabada to leave Bangladesh five down with 20 runs still required at exactly a run a ball.
The game descended to the last over, bowled by spinner Maharaj, who scooped up two wickets and got away with a brace of full tosses from the two final balls of the innings as South Africa somehow managed a four-run margin of victory.
In Pakistan Fast Bowler Wahab Riaz has taken retirement from International Cricket.
How the Proteas rebuilt to get winning score?
South Africa earlier chose to bat first against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York after winning the toss.
After losing four early wickets, Heinrich Klaasen (46 from 44) and David Miller (29 from 38) worked brilliantly together to enable the Proteas rebound to 113/6.
Though Quinton de Kock blasted ten runs from the first three balls of the game, it was the Tigers that delighted in the better of the opening stages.
With Taskin Ahmed also joining in to tidy captain Aiden Markram (4 from 8), Tanzim Hazan Sakib inflicted most of the damage in the Powerplay, removing Reeza Hendricks (0 from 1), De Kock (18 from 11) and Tristan Stubbs (0 from 5).
And the flutter of early wickets left South Africa on 25/4 at the end of the opening six overs, but with Klassen and Miller still out in the middle and staring another rescue mission.
At a run-a- ball, the pair established a strong recovery alliance valued at 79, thereby raising South Africa to triple numbers.
Both set batters dropped in the closing overs as they sought to accelerate, but 113/6 might well be difficult on a track that provided plenty for the bowlers.
With Taskin (2/19) and Rishad Hossain (1/32) the other bowlers to pick up wickets, Tanzim Hasan Sakib ended with the pick of the numbers with 3/18 from four overs.
Although South Africa has already won three from three, they are not quite certain about a place in the Super 8 stage.
Other outcomes may have sealed the Proteas’ advancement before their last Group D game, but a victory over Nepal on Saturday in St Vincent would most definitely confirm qualification and top spot with a perfect record in the first phase.
Bangladesh will now concentrate on their last two games against Nepal and Netherlands. Both of those will guarantee a top two place; even just a victory against the Dutch next time out on Thursday could be enough.
