Bangladesh need 114 to beat South Africa in T20 WC

New York, 10 June —Bangladesh bowlers once again put up a disciplined bowling show to restrict South Africa for just 113-6 in their second game of the T20 World Cup at Nassau Country International Cricket Stadium in New York today.

Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib led the way with 3-18 from four overs while fast bowler Taskin Ahmed claimed 2-19. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain had figures of 1-32.

But all of the Bangladeshi bowlers maintained a nagging line and length in a pitch which was a home like wicket for them out of home.

Even though the pitch is tricky, it is still believed Bangladesh would be able to overhaul the target to register their first victory against South Africa in ninth meetings. A victory would also help Bangladesh make a giant stride toward the Super 8 berth for the first time in tournament’s history.

After the captain Aiden Markram surprisingly opted to bat first in a pitch where batting first is believed to be suicidal, Quinton de started with a brace of boundaries but Tanzim got the wicket of Reeza Hendricks for duck to help the side make a good start.

He then claimed the big wicket of de Kock who made 18 and Tristan Stubbs for a duck before Taskin got the better of Aiden Markram (4), leaving South Africa a precarious 23-4 in just 4.2 overs.

Henrich Klaasen and David Miller, the two natural stroke-makers put the ego behind to make a slow recovery and it initially looked paid off as they shared 79-run for the fifth wicket. They took 81 balls for that partnership, which slowed down the innings considerably.

However, their plan to go for all out attack in the death overs didn’t work with Taskin rattling the stump of Klaasen after he made team-best 46 off 44 with two fours and three sixes.

In the next over, Rishad undid Miller with a delivery that had extra bounce and knock his stump. He scored 29 off 38 with one four and one six.

Bangladesh bowlers then curbed the aggression of Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj with excellent bowling, giving the batters a mediocre target to chase.