In the battle of unbeaten sides, South Africa prevailed over Bangladesh in a final ball thriller at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Monday (local time) and took a step closer to qualifying for the Super 8 stage. It was a game that was decided by a gamble played by South Africa skipper Aiden Markram in the final over. On a surface that has favoured pacers throughout the tournament, Markram handed the ball to spinner Kehsav Maharaj to defend 11 runs.
Markram’s gamble paid off as the experienced spinner removed Jaker Ali and Mahmudullah to successfully defend the lowest total in the history of the competition and seal a 4-run win. Both batters tried to clear the boundary and on both occasions, Markram was present to complete the catch before the ball crossed the rope. In a low-scoring chase of 114, got off to a slow start as they attempted with a different opening duo Tanzid Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Bangladesh lost both openers to Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada in 6.1 overs with only 29 runs on the board. Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan fell cheaply but Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah forged a 44-run stand to take Bangladesh towards victory.
Rabada raised hopes of a comeback by removing in-form Hridoy. The momentum shifted in favour of South Africa and Maharaj stood up in the clutch moment to seal a four-run win for the Proteas. Earlier in the innings, a fiery three-wicket haul from Tanzim Hasan Sakib and two scalps by Taskin Ahmed helped the T.
