When a T20 World Cup game is played, players are even more under pressure to produce for their sides during crucial times of any match—a competition of such enormous proportions.
A similar tense situation arose during South Africa vs. Bangladesh in Match 21 of the T20 World Cup 2024. Bangladesh would have anticipated being able to chase the score somewhat easily after limiting the Proteas to a meagre 113. The pitch, combined with some excellent bowling from the Proteas, proved difficult, though, and the match ended with just 18 runs needed from the last two overs.
Ottneil Baartman bowled incredibly effectively, preventing both Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali from reaching the boundary, and the first five deliveries of the penultimate over delivered just five runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali, who was trying to establish rhythm, managed to return for the second run after mistiming the final delivery of the penultimate over and pulling it to deep midwicket. His score was 6 off 7 deliveries.
Jaker seemed to hear a strange creak from his bat during the attempted draw, so he checked for damage. The 26-year-old violently slammed the bat against his thigh, separating it from the joint that connects the handle to the face, out of rage. He then motioned for a replacement bat to be brought in from the dressing room.
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Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, needing 11 runs to win in the last over, kept his cool to dismiss Jaker and Mahmudullah on the third and fifth deliveries, respectively. Proteas captain Aiden Markram caught both players at long-on. As a result, South Africa’s 113 became the lowest target successfully defended by any side in the T20 World Cup, and Bangladesh lost by four runs.
India
