South Africa did a huge favour to their net run rate ahead of their last Super 12s match, against England, with a thumping win against Bangladesh. Despite that, South Africa will have to bank on how Australia do in their matches.
The Bangladesh batters were simply no match for the pace and bounce of South African pacers on a slightly helpful pitch for fast bowlers and meekly surrendered to Kagiso Rabada (3-20), Player of the Match, and Anrich Nortje (3-8).
Temba Bavuma won the toss and did not hesitate to field. South Africa went with an unchanged XI, while Bangladesh brought in Shamim Hossain and Nasum Ahmed for Mustafizur Rahman and the injured Shakib al Hasan.
Mohammad Naim and Liton Das started cautiously, but Rabada dismissed Naim and Soumya Sarkar in consecutive deliveries in the fourth over. Mushfiqur Rahim became Rabada’s third wicket in his sixth over, and Bangladesh ended the Powerplay on 28/3.
Anrich Nortje then made a ball climb steeply on Mahmudullah, who fended it in the air, while Afif Hossain went for a duck. Liton got 24 before becoming Tabraiz Shamsi’s first wicket. Shamsi also got Shamim Hossain for 11, and finished with 2-21.
Only Mahedi Hossain contributed significantly, from No. 8, with 27 in 25 balls with two fours and a six. Nortje then returned came back to wipe out the tail, and Bangladesh were all out for just 84.
The pitch was still helpful for pace, and South Africa lost three early wickets to Taskin Ahmed (2-18) and Mahedi (1-19). Quinton de Kock (16), Reeza Hendricks (4) and Aiden Markram (0) were all dismissed in the Powerplay, and at 33/3, it seemed Bangladesh could make a match out of it.
However, a 47-run partnership between Bavuma (31*) and Rassie van der Dussen (22) ensured ruled that out. By the time van der Dussen was caught brilliantly by Shoriful Islam, South Africa needed just five runs to win the match. Bavuma saw them through with 6.3 overs to spare.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 84 in 18.2 overs (Mahedi Hasan 27; Anrich Nortje 3-8) lost to South Africa 86/4 in 13.3 overs (Temba Bavuma 31*; Taskin Ahmed 2-18) by 6 wickets with 39 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Kagiso Rabada.