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.
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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.
1/10:T20 WC: South Africa edge Bangladesh by 4 runs
<p>Read more on TOI Sports</p>AFP
2/10:THRILLING WIN
<p>South Africa defeated Bangladesh by just four runs in another low-scoring game at the T20 World Cup on Monday, a result likely to spark fresh debate over the suitability of the pitch being used in New York.<br /></p>AFP
3/10:CLASSY KLAASEN
<p>South Africa were restricted to 113-6 in their 20 overs with Heinrich Klaasen top-scoring on 46 while fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib returned a career-best 3-18.<br /></p>PTI
4/10:FELL SHORT!
<p>However, Bangladesh could only manage 109-7 in reply as South Africa wrapped up a third win in three Group D games.<br /></p>IANS
5/10:STUGGLING BANGLADESH!
<p>Chasing just 114 to win on the drop-in strip at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh initially struggled in the face of the Proteas' pace battery.<br /></p>IANS
6/10:NORTJE STRIKES!
<p>Bangladesh were 50-4 at the 10-over mark having lost Tanzid Hasan (nine) to Kagiso Rabada while Anrich Nortje accounted for skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (14) and Shakib Al Hasan (three).<br /></p>AFP
7/10:SOLID STAND!
<p>However, Towhid Hridoy, who top-scored with 40 when Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka in their opener, and 38-year-old Mahmudullah steadied the ship for the Tigers.<br /></p>AP
8/10:SUPERB SHOW!
<p>The pair put on 44 for the fifth wicket before Hridoy was lbw to Rabada for 37, an innings which took up 34 balls and featured two fours and two sixes.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:SUPER MAHARAJ!
<p>Bangladesh took seven off the penultimate over but still needed 11 off the last to be bowled by Maharaj.<br /></p>AP
10/10:MAHARAJ SHINES
<p>Needing six off the final ball, Taskin Ahmed could only produce a scrambled single. South Africa won the thriller by four runs. <br /></p>AFPKeshav 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)
