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South Africa will consider themselves hard done by as they could not qualify for T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals despite winning four out of five matches. Temba Bavuma-led South Africa beat England by 10 runs to end their purple patch in the tournament. Eoin Morgan’s men tasted their first victory after four convincing wins as they could not chase down the target of 190 by a narrow margin.
Rabada’s redemption as death bowler
Kagiso Rabada redeemed himself after taking a hammering from Liam Livingstone who hit him for three sixes in a row in the 16th over. In three overs he had leaked 45 runs but skipper Bavuma handed the ball to Rabada to defend 14 runs off the last over. The death overs specialist was able to turn it around with a hat-trick off the first three balls. The fast bowler got the wickets of Chris Woakes, skipper Morgan and Chris Jordan. He gave just three runs in the last over helping his side finish their campaign on a high.
Shamsi makes impact
After Anrich Nortje took the wicket of wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler, Chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi bowled an economical and wicket-taking spell. Just after the powerplay overs, Shamsi got Jonny Bairstow out for a single. In the middle overs, he returned again to take the wicket of set batter Moeen Ali. The leg-spinner created problems for Dawid Malan as well. He finished his four-over spell conceding just 24 runs in a high-scoring affair.
Roy’s injury
England opener Jason Roy may have suffered a tournament-threatening injury as he was left in tears after pulling his left hamstring. Roy was barely able to walk off the field and was seen crying in the dugout as well. The incident took place in the fifth over of England’s run chase. He had to retire after scoring 20 runs from the 15 deliveries. The severity of the injury is unknown. If Roy misses out, it will be a big blow for England, similar to the one in World Cup 2019. However, this time they will not have league stage matches to recover as they are likely to play the knockout game against an in-form Pakistan side.
Rassie misses century, breaks Gibbs record
Rassie van der Dussen missed out on maiden T20I century as he remained unbeaten for 94 off 60 deliveries. The 94-run knock is the highest score by a Proteas batter in T20 World Cup. Rassie surpassed Herschelle Gibbs unbeaten 90 that he scored in the first match of the inaugural season of T20 World Cup against West Indies.
Death overs mayhem
South Africa were 118/2 in the 15th over. Rassie was batting at 61 off 45 deliveries whereas Aiden Markram showed signs of aggression scoring 15 runs off 10 deliveries. While Moeen Ali and Rashid bowled relatively economical spell, the Proteas duo took England fast bowlers to the cleaners.
Morgan was clearly missing the services of injured Tymal Mills who was been ruled out of the tournament. The left-arm pacer’s replacement, Mark Wood was unimpressive despite his raw pace as he was the most expensive bowler conceding 47 runs from four overs. Jordan leaked 36 runs whereas Woakes who has been economical throughout went for 43 runs.
Rassie scored 31 runs from 15 deliveries in the death overs whereas Markram scored the second-fastest half-century of the tournament. Batting at no.4, Markram reached his fifty off 24 balls including four sixes and two fours. Rassie’s big-hitting was on display too as he hit six sixes in his record-breaking innings.
