T20 WC 2021: SA vs BAN Review – South African bowlers demolish Bangladesh

Heading into the business end of the tournament, South Africa needed two points and they got that pretty comprehensively beating Bangladesh in the Super 12 game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 2. The Proteas bowled the Tigers out cheaply and ended up getting the target done in 13.3 overs, with four wickets in hand.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. Bangladesh could never manage to get into the game as they slipped to three wickets down inside the powerplay, all three went to Kagiso Rabada. Just outside the powerplay, they found themselves 35 for 5. Only three players got double digits scores, Liton Das (24 runs), Shamim Hossain (11) and Mahedi Hasan (27).

For the Proteas, it was Tabraiz Shamsi as well, who bowled well. He picked up two wickets while Dwaine Pretorius took one. Anrich Nortje also got three scalps and Bangladesh were bowled out for 84. With the ball though, Bangladesh began well. South Africa lost three inside their powerplay as well, courtesy of Taskin Ahmed, who picked two while Mahedi took the other.

However, skipper Temba Bavuma with his calm innings of 31 runs from 28 balls put things in order. He was well supported by Rassie van der Dussen who scored 22. In the end, South Africa chased down the total easily.

Top performers:

Kagiso Rabada: The right-arm quick was at his best with the ball in this game. He bowled a fantastic spell. In fact, it was his strikes inside the powerplay which made Bangladesh suffer. He picked up the wickets of Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim. He gave only 20 runs in his four overs.

Anrich Nortje: He has formed a wonderful partnership with Rabada across the last two years and has shown how effective he can be in T20 cricket. His consistent run continued with his wonderful spell, in which he took the wickets of Mahmudullah, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan. He conceded only eight runs in his 3.2 over-spell.

Records/achievements:

• Nasum Ahmed became only the third batter to get a hit-wicket off the first ball of his innings. The first two were Misbah-ul-Haq (2011) and David Obuya of Kenya (2007).

Way ahead:

South Africa will now face England in their last league match on November 6 while Bangladesh will face Australia on November 4.