NEW DELHI:
South Africa
created history on Monday by successfully defending the
lowest total
in ICC
T20 World Cup
history. In a thrilling Group stage game, the Proteas managed to defend a modest target of 114 runs against
Bangladesh
, who fell just four runs short of victory at the
Nassau County International Cricket Stadium
in New York.
This historic feat by South Africa surpassed the record set by India just hours earlier.
India had defended a target of 120 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue in their Group A T20 World Cup clash.
T20 World Cup Schedule | Points Table
The game also marked the lowest total ever defended by South Africa in T20 Internationals, surpassing their previous best of defending 116 runs against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2013.
Winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first. They faced early setbacks, struggling at 24/4. However, Heinrich Klaasen (46 off 44 balls, including two fours and three sixes) and David Miller (29 off 38 balls, with one four and one six) helped them reach 113/6 in 20 overs.
For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the standout bowler with figures of 3/18, while Taskin Ahmed contributed with 2/19 in his four overs.
In their chase, Bangladesh were at 50/4 in 9.5 overs but Towhid Hridoy's (37 off 34 balls, including two fours and two sixes) efforts brought them back into the game. Mahmudullah (20 off 27 balls, with two fours) almost secured the win for Bangladesh until he was caught by Aiden Markram, ending their hopes.
Bangladesh's innings concluded at 109/7 in 20 overs, four runs short of the target, in a heart-wrenching finish.
Keshav Maharaj was the hero for South Africa with the ball, claiming 3/27. Kagiso Rabada (2/19) and Anrich Nortje (2/17) also bowled crucial spells.
With this win, South Africa sit at the top of Group D with three wins in three games, totaling six points. Bangladesh, with one win and one loss, is at number two with two points.
(With inputs from ANI)
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