Published: Mar 27, 2014, 06:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 27, 2014, 10:48 PM (IST)
By Devarchit Varma
Mar 27, 2014
South Africa registered a nervous six-run win over Netherlands in the 21st match of the ICC World T20 2014 tournament at Chittagong on Thursday. Imran Tahir starred with four-wicket haul as South Africa romped home to their second win in the tournament.
Chasing a challenging total of 146 to win, Netherlands were bowled out for 139 in 18.4 overs. Netherlands, who were shot out for a paltry 39 in their previous outing, produced an inspired show with the bat in this game.
Netherlands were off to a brilliant start with Stephan Myburgh showing aggressive intent right from the beginning. The left-handed batsman scored runs on both sides of the wicket, and punished the South African pacers for being erratic with their line and length.
Myburgh opened up in the third over of the game when he smashed three boundaries and a six off Lonwabo Tsotsobe, collecting 18 runs from that over.
The Dutch opener had a special liking for Tsotsobe, as he slammed two more fours and a six over the deep midwicket region in the fifth over of the match.
South Africa looked a bit shell shocked with Myburgh’s onslaught as even Dale Steyn failed to make a mark when he was introduced into the attack in the fourth over. Netherlands were cruising as they crossed the 50-run mark in the fifth over without any loss.
In the sixth over, Steyn struck as Michael Swart mistimed a shot and South African captain Faf du Plessis took a fantastic catch at the mid-off position. Swart’s dismissal provided South Africa the breakthrough they were looking for, and they made most of the opportunity.
JP Duminy provide the big wicket of Myburgh in the eighth over, as he cleaned him up for 51 off 28 balls. Myburgh struck eight boundaries and two sixes during his stay.
Wesley Barresi, who had started off well with a boundary and a six off Duminy, was trapped in front of the wickets by Imran Tahir for 14 in the ninth over. The South African spinner tasted further success when Peter Borren moved across the wickets in his next over, but missed to connect the ball all together and fell for 13.
Tahir was the wrecker-in-chief for the Netherlands, as the right-arm spinner claimed four wickets of 21 runs off his four overs. Netherlands’ lower order failed to take them past the finish line.
Brief scores:
South Africa 145 for 9 in 20 overs (Hashim Amla 43, Faf du Plessis 24, AB de Villiers 21; Ahsan Malik 5 for 19) beat Netherlands 139 in 18.4 overs (Stephan Myburgh 51; Imran Tahir 4 for 21, Dale Steyn 2 for 19) by 6 runs.
Man of the Match: Imran Tahir
ICC World T20 2014 schedule: Match time table with venue details
ICC World T20 2014 Points Table and Team Standings
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
