In yet another low-scoring encounter at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, South Africa completed a hat-trick of wins. After posting 113/6 on the board with the help of Heinrich Klaasen’s 46-run knock, South Africa bowlers strangled Bangladesh batters and won the game by four runs. South Africa became the first side to book their berth in Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Another collapse in powerplay overs
Earlier, Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bat first. South Africa top-order failed to perform once again on New York pitch. Quinton de Kock got off the mark with a six. On the last ball of the over bowled by Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Reeza Hendricks got out lbw for a golden duck. De Kock hit Taskin Ahmed for a six as well. Sakib in his third over dismissed De Kock who scored 18 runs from 11 balls. In the next over bowled by Taskin Ahmed, Markram got bowled after scoring just one boundary. Tristan Stubbs failed to make a mark as well. He got out for a five-ball duck to Sakib. South Africa were 25/4 after powerplay overs.
Klaasen-Miller’s partnership
After a cautious start, Heinrich Klaasen went after Risad Hossain in the 10th over hitting him for two consecutive sixes. David Miller had a reprieve as his catch was dropped by Litton Das. Miller hit the first six of his knock in the 14th over off Mustafizur Rahman. The fifth-wicket partnership was broken in the 18th over. He got bowled by Taskin for a 44-ball 46. Klaasen and Miller shared a 79-run stand. In the penultimate over, Miller got bowled by Rishad. He scored 29 runs from 38 balls. Just four runs were scored in the final over as South Africa posted 113/6.
Scratchy start
In the run chase, Tanzid Hasan hit two fours before falling to Kagiso Rabada in the second over. Najmul Hossain Shanto hit the first six of the innings. After powerplay overs, Bangladesh had 29 runs on the board. Keshav Maharaj was introduced into the attack and delivered with Das' wicket. In the next over, in-form Anrich Nortje dismissed Shakib Al Hasan. Twohid Hridoy hit a six in the ninth over to release pressure. In the 10th over, Shanto's slow knock was ended by Nortje. He scored just 14 runs from 23 balls. Bangladesh were 50/4 after the halfway stage.
Maharaj holds his nerves
In Nortje's next over, Mahmudullah's catch was dropped by Marco Jansen. Maharaj came back into the attack and Hridoy hit him for another six. In the 18th over, Rabada got the prized wicket of Hridoy. He scored 37 runs from 34 balls. In the last two overs, 18 runs were needed. Baartman conceded seven runs and left 11 runs to defend in the final over. Maharaj was tasked to bowl the final over by Markram. He got the wicket of Jaker Ali on the third ball. On the penultimate ball, Mahmudullah was caught just inside the boundary. In the end, South Africa won by four runs.
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