South Africa and Bangladesh T20 World Cup Highlights
South Africa took a stride towards the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup after a last-over thriller against Bangladesh in New York on Monday, June 10. Defending a modest total of 113, South Africa broke the numerous hearts of Bangladeshi fans at the Nassau County Cricket Ground.
This 113 became the lowest total ever defended by South Africa in a men’s T20 World Cup match. Additionally, they extended their unbeaten streak against Bangladesh, now leading 9-0 in their head-to-head encounters.
Turning Point-
Heinrich Klaasen’s Innings
Heinrich Klaasen, stepping in at No. 5, played a crucial innings of 46 off 44 balls, earning him the Player of the Match award. His knock included 2 boundaries and 3 sixes. Klaasen initially played cautiously against the seamers but later launched an assault on Rishad Hossain’s spin, which was pivotal. Together with David Miller, he ensured South Africa didn’t lose a wicket during the middle overs (7-15), helping them set a defendable target.
South Africa
Power Play: Tanzim Sakib Rocks SA
Phase Score: 25/4 (RR: 4.16, 4s/6s: 2/2)
Tanzim Sakib was on fire, striking three times in the first six overs and reducing South Africa to 25/4. Quinton de Kock started aggressively but was soon bowled by a low delivery from Sakib. Reeza Hendricks fell to an inswinger in Sakib’s first over, and Tristan Stubbs edged one to cover. Amid this chaos, Taskin Ahmed removed Aiden Markram with a seaming delivery.
Middle Overs: Klaasen and Miller Partnership
Phase Score: 59/0 (RR: 6.56, 4s/6s: 3/3)
After a rough start, Klaasen and Miller steadied the ship during the middle overs. Although runs came slowly, they didn’t lose any more wickets. Klaasen hit a couple of sixes off Rishad Hossain, taking South Africa to 57/4 by the halfway mark. Miller managed to clear the fence off Mustafizur Rahman’s bowling but was dropped on 13 by Litton Das, bowled by Mahmudullah.
Death Overs: Bangladesh Restrains SA
Phase Score: 29/2 (RR: 5.80, 4s/6s: 2/2)
South Africa couldn’t find the big hits in the final overs. Klaasen managed to hit a six off Mahmudullah but was soon bowled by Taskin Ahmed. Miller was also dismissed in the penultimate over, bowled by Rishad. Sakib finished with remarkable figures of 3 for 18, as South Africa managed only 13 runs in the last three overs, ending at 113/6.
Bangladesh
Power Play: Bangladesh Minimizes Damage
Phase Score: 29/1 (RR: 4.83, 4s/6s: 3/1)
Bangladesh got off to a cautious start, losing only one wicket in the PowerPlay. Marco Jansen bowled a tight first over, but Tanzid Hasan hit back-to-back boundaries off Kagiso Rabada before getting caught behind later in the over. Nazmul Hasan Shanto and Litton Das saw out the PowerPlay without further damage.
Middle Overs: A Battle Between Runs and Wickets
Phase Score: 54/3 (RR: 6, 4s/6s: 3/2)
Keshav Maharaj made an immediate impact, dismissing Litton Das with a full toss on his first delivery. Anrich Nortje took crucial wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Shanto with short deliveries in consecutive overs. Mahmudullah and Towhid Hridoy then added a steady 33 runs, with Mahmudullah getting a reprieve on 10.
Death Overs: Bangladesh Struggles to Find Big Hits
Phase Score: 26/3 (RR: 5.2, 4s/6s: 1/0)
Needing 31 runs in the last five overs, Bangladesh seemed well-poised with two set batters. But South Africa tightened their grip, allowing just one boundary in the final five overs. Markram’s sharp field placements restricted easy singles. Rabada, bowling the 18th over, conceded only 2 runs and got Hridoy out. Ottneil Baartman bowled a tight 19th over, leaving 11 runs for Maharaj to defend in the final over. He did so, despite bowling three full tosses, leading to a catch in the dying moments.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 113/6 (Klaasen 46; Sakib 3-18) beat Bangladesh 109/7 (Hridoy 37; Maharaj 3-27) by 4 runs.
What’s Next?
Both teams will now travel to Kingstown, St Vincent for their next matches. South Africa will face Nepal on Friday, while Bangladesh will play against the Netherlands on Thursday.