South Africa edge Bangladesh by four runs at T20 World Cup

South African players celebrate winning the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2024 group D cricket match against Bangladesh

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. 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.

However, Bangladesh could only manage 109-7 in reply as South Africa wrapped up a third win in three Group D games. Chasing just 114 to win on the controversial drop-in strip at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh initially struggled in the face of the Proteas' pace battery.

They 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).
Spinner Keshav Maharaj sent back Liton Das for just nine.

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. 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.

Bangladesh took seven off the penultimate over but still needed 11 off the last to be bowled by Maharaj.

That became seven off four balls. 

With the pressure building both Jaker Ali and Mahmudullah were caught going for big heaves over long on. Needing six off the final ball, Taskin Ahmed could only produce a scrambled single. (AFP)

Chief scores
South Africa 113-6 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 46; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 3-18) v Bangladesh 109-7 in 20 overs (Towhid Hridoy 37; Keshav Maharaj 3-27)