South Africa narrowly clinches victory over Bangladesh by four runs in a tense T20 World Cup clash. © Twitter (@ESPNcricinfo)
A nail-biting encounter at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, South Africa maintained its 100% win record at the T20 World Cup 2024 by clinching a four-run victory against Bangladesh. Despite early setbacks, both teams fought hard, showcasing a mix of brilliant performances and crucial moments that defined the match.
Match Summary
South Africa 113/6 (20) | |
| Heinrich Klaasen 46 (44) | Tanzim Hasan Sakib |
| David Miller 29 (38) | Taskin Ahmed |
| Quinton de Kock † 18 (11) | Rishad Hossain |
Bangladesh 109/7 (20) | |
| Towhid Hridoy 37 (34) | Keshav Maharaj |
| Mahmudullah 20 (27) | Kagiso Rabada |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) 14 (23) | Anrich Nortje |
Toss: South Africa won the throw and chose to bat first.
Stadium: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Result: South Africa beat Bangladesh by four runs.
Player of the Match: Heinrich Klaasen. – 46 (44)
South Africa won the throw and batted first on a challenging wicket. Their decision seemed questionable as they were reduced to 23 for four within the first six overs. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed were instrumental in dismantling the South African top order. Quinton de Kock was the only top-order batsman to show some resistance before falling early. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller then stitched together a vital 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket, rescuing their team from a precarious position. Their stand helped South Africa post 113 for 6 in their 20 overs, a competitive score given the difficult batting conditions.
Bangladesh’s Chase A Tale of Missed Opportunities
Bangladesh’s chase began shaky, losing wickets at regular intervals. By the halfway mark, they were struggling at 50 for 4. South African bowlers, particularly Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, kept the pressure on with disciplined bowling. Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah played sensibly, adding 44 runs for the fifth wicket and bringing Bangladesh back into the game. In the 17th over, a controversial moment arose when Mahmudullah was given out leg-before to Ottneil Baartman. The ball had deflected off his pad to the boundary for four-leg byes. Upon review, ball-tracking showed Mahmudullah was not out, but the four runs did not count due to ICC’s DRS protocols, making the ball dead at the point of impact. This decision proved costly for Bangladesh.
South Africa’s Nerve-Wracking Defense
With 20 runs needed off the last 18 balls, South Africa’s bowlers held their nerve. Kagiso Rabada bowled a crucial 18th over, conceding just one run and taking a wicket. Ottneil Baartman followed with a tight 19th over, giving away only seven runs. Keshav Maharaj, bowling the final over of a T20I match for the first time, delivered under pressure. He managed to defend the total despite starting with a wide and bowling two full tosses. Mahmudullah’s attempt to clear the boundary on the penultimate ball resulted in a well-timed catch by Aiden Markram at long-on, sealing the win for South Africa.
Key Performances and Moments
- Heinrich Klaasen (46 off 44) and David Miller (29 off 38) were pivotal in stabilizing the South African innings after a top-order collapse.
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib (3 for 18) and Taskin Ahmed (2 for 19) led the charge for Bangladesh, dismantling South Africa’s top order.
- The controversial DRS decision involving Mahmudullah in the 17th over significantly impacted Bangladesh’s chase.
- South African bowlers Anrich Nortje (2 for 17), Kagiso Rabada (2 for 19), and Keshav Maharaj (3 for 27) delivered under pressure, especially in the death overs.
Match Rundown
South Africa’s total was 113/6 in 20 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen scoring 46 off 44 and David Miller 29 off 38. Tanzim Hasan Sakib took 3 for 18 and Taskin Ahmed 2 for 19 for Bangladesh. In reply, Bangladesh managed 109/7 in 20 overs, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 37 off 34 and Mahmudullah 20 off 27. Keshav Maharaj took 3 for 27, Kagiso Rabada 2 for 19, and Anrich Nortje 2 for 17 for South Africa.
Looking Ahead
This victory sees South Africa move to St. Vincent for their final group match against Nepal, with a strong chance to qualify for the Super 8s. Bangladesh will head to the West Indies, facing the Netherlands and Nepal, still in contention for the tournament’s next stage. This thrilling encounter is a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket.
