Abu Dhabi, Nov 2 (FN Agency) A blistering spell from Kagiso Rabada set South Africa up for a convincing six-wicket victory over Bangladesh here on Tuesday. Rabada took three wickets in his opening spell and Bangladesh never recovered as the Proteas kept their charge for a semi-final place on track at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. With this win, South Africa have three wins from four matches ahead of a clash with Group 1 leaders England, with Australia their most likely challengers in the battle for the last four. Rabada finished with figures of three for 20, his best showing in T20 internationals, while Anrich Nortje took three for eight as Bangladesh were bundled out for just 84.
Bangladesh’s total was never likely to be enough, but Taskin got them off to a strong start with one that came back and trapped Hendricks for four in the first over. Quinton de Kock was then flummoxed by a straight one from Mahedi before Markram edged to slip off Taskin as South Africa slipped to 33 for three. However, Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen came together to take South Africa to the brink, although the latter was brilliantly caught by Shoriful Islam off Nasum leaving David Miller to finish it off.
Scores in brief: Bangladesh 84 all out; South Africa 86/4, Player of the Match: Kagiso Rabada (South Africa).