South Africa advanced to the Super Eights stage of the ICC T20 World Cup after a thrilling last-ball victory over Bangladesh. The match was a must-win for both teams, as the winner would secure a spot in the next round of the tournament. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a competitive total of 205/4 in their 20 overs. Faf du Plessis led the way with a brilliant 79 off 41 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen chipped in with a quickfire 41 off 29 balls.
Bangladesh started their run chase strongly, with Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan putting on a 66-run partnership for the second wicket. However, the South African bowlers fought back, taking regular wickets to keep the pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen. A crucial moment in the match came in the 15th over, when Kagiso Rabada dismissed Shakib Al Hasan for 40 runs, turning the momentum in South Africa’s favor. With Bangladesh needing 24 runs off the last over, Andile Phehlukwayo was entrusted with the final over.
Phehlukwayo held his nerve under pressure, conceding 23 runs off the first five balls to bring the match down to the last ball. With Bangladesh needing two runs to win off the final delivery, Phehlukwayo bowled a dot ball to secure a dramatic two-run victory for South Africa. The result meant that South Africa finished second in Group 1 of the first round, behind Australia, and advanced to the Super Eights stage of the tournament. The win was a major relief for South Africa, who had come into the tournament with high expectations but had been underperforming in recent matches.
The victory over Bangladesh was a much-needed boost for South Africa, as it showcased their ability to handle pressure situations and come out on top in close matches. The team will now be hoping to carry that momentum into the Super Eights stage and make a strong push for the knockout rounds of the tournament. With key players like Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, and Andile Phehlukwayo in good form, South Africa will be confident of making an impact in the latter stages of the competition.
The result was a bitter disappointment for Bangladesh, who had fought hard throughout the match but ultimately fell short in the final over. Despite the loss, the Bangladesh team can take heart from their performances in the tournament, including a dominant win over Scotland in their opening match. With players like Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mustafizur Rahman in good form, Bangladesh will be aiming to bounce back in their remaining matches and finish the tournament on a positive note. The team will be looking to learn from their mistakes in the match against South Africa and come back stronger in their next fixtures.
