South African has gone top of Group 2 at the T20 World Cup after beating India by five wickets in Perth.
Lungi Ngidi
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi decimated India’s top order and David Miller blasted a vital fifty as the Proteas beat the 2007 champions in a low-scoring clash at Perth Stadium.
India recovered from losing four early wickets after winning the toss, guided by Suryakumar Yadav (68 off 40 balls) to a modest total of 133-9 in 20 overs.
South Africa responded by scoring 137-5 with two balls remaining, spearheaded by Miller’s 46-ball 59.
“Pretty nerve-wracking when games get that close”, said man-of-the-match Ngidi.
“This is probably one of my biggest dreams to be honest, to get something like this (award) at a World Cup and help my country win a game.”
South Africa currently lead Group Two with five points, India and Bangladesh have four, Zimbabwe three, Pakistan two and the Netherlands none.
Pakistan kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals with a comfortable six-wicket win over the Netherlands.
Chasing 92 for victory, they won with 37 balls to spare, opener Mohammad Rizwan hitting 49 off 39 balls.
Netherlands posted a turgid 91-9 in Perth, with Colin Ackermann scoring 27 and spinner Shadab Khan taking 3-22.
Pakistan need to beat South Africa on Thursday and Bangladesh next Sunday and hope results go their way to progress.
The Netherlands are eliminated, with a third successive defeat leaving them bottom of Group 2, a place lower than Pakistan.
Zimbabwe batter Sean Williams said the way his side’s game against Bangladesh ended was “extremely weird” and that it had been an “emotional rollercoaster” for his team in the tournament.
The ecstasy of beating former champions Pakistan on Thursday was followed by the agony of losing their match against Bangladesh despite Williams’ gallant innings of 64.
It was a chaotic finish at the Gabba, where Zimbabwe needed five runs off the last ball from off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain.
Blessing Muzarabani was first dismissed for being stumped but was then recalled after replays confirmed Bangladesh wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan had gathered the ball in front of the stumps and not behind.
Muzarabani took strike again but could not connect with the free-hit delivery and Bangladesh clinched the see-saw Group 2 contest by three runs.
“Obviously I’ve never experienced something like that in a cricket match before, but again it just goes to show in a T20 game there’s always a little bit of hope – anything can happen.”
-Reuters
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