South Africa recorded a thrilling 4 runs win over their low scoring group match against Bangladesh to ensure their place in super eight round while they defended 113 runs with good fighting bowling display in their game played at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York yesterday. Bangladesh chasing their target of 114 were managed to get 109 for 7 wickets and Tawhid Hridoy top scored 37 while last over bowled by leg spinner Keshav Maharaj saw taking 2 wickets given away only 6 runs to ensure their third win in a row. South African Heinrich Klaasen who hit fighting knock of 46 was adjudged Man of the Match.

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram elected to bat first at the Nassau County International Stadium wicket but the decision was not for their favour as top order was struggling (23 for 4 wickets) during the power play. Opener Reza Hendrikas was first ball duck as Tanzim Hasen made an early breakthrough. The experienced Quinton de Kock started with confidence hitting a 4 and 2 sixes but he was out for 18 in 11 balls. Tanzim accounted his second vital wicket.

Skipper Aiden Markram scored 4 in 8 balls with a boundary before he clean bowled to Taskin Ahmed. Tristan Stubbs couldn’t make runs facing 5 balls and Tanzim once again struck to get his third wicket. Proteas were in deep trouble at that stage scoring 23 for 4 wickets in 4.2 overs and Bangladesh seamers had a fine effort.

However experienced David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen repaired the innings to ease their pressure.

Klarsaan was aggressive scoring 46 in 42 balls hit 2 fours and 3 sixes while Miller hit 29 in 38 balls with a four and a six and the pair added remarkable 79 runs fifth wicket combination under pressure to pass the 100 mark.

South Africa finally managed to get 113 for 6 wickets while two pacemen Tanzim Hasen 3 for 18 and Taskin Ahmed 2 for 19 were pick of the Bangladesh bowlers.

Today (11) Canada will meet Pakistan in their group ‘A’ fixture at the same venue in New York while Pakistan already had back to back defeats looking to get first win over inexperienced Canada but India and USA already in first and second places of this group with 4 points each.

Chief scores

South Africa 113 for 6 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 18, Heinrich Klaasen 46, David Miller 29, Tanzim Hasen 3/18, Taskin Ahmed 2/19, Rishad Hossain 1/32)

Bangladesh 109 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 14,Tawhid Hridoy 37, Mahmudullah 20, Kagiso Rabada 2/19, Keshav Maharaj 3/27 Anrich Nortje 2/17). (D.R)