(Cricket news) South Africa consolidated the 2nd spot in Group 1 with a six wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Having already suffered three consecutive defeats against England, West Indies and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s miseries continued with another defeat and the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.

South Africa won the toss with skipper Temba Bavuma electing to bowl, a strategy that paid dividends as Kagiso Rabada ran rampant (3-20 off 4) midway through the powerplay. Bangladesh’s batters collapsed like a house of cards as Nortje (3-8 off 3.2) and Rabada reduced Bangladesh to a meagre score of 84 runs in 18.2 overs. Rabada took three wickets – Mohammad Naim (9), Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim (0) in just five balls with Bangladesh having no answer to South Africa’s bowling.

Nortje took the wicket of Mahmudullah (3) while Dwaine Pretorius (1-11 off 3) dismissed Asif Hussain on the very first ball with Bangladesh at 34-5. Only Liton Das 24 runs off 36 balls put up any sort of fight as wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Left arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (2-21) eventually took the wicket of Das and Shamim Hossain while Mehdi Hasan (27 runs off 25) attempted a late comeback as Bangladesh failed to reach the three figure mark.

Bangladesh had a ray of hope when Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for an lbw, having scored  just 4 runs off 5 balls. Quinton de Kock (16 runs off 15) got South Africa going but was soon dismissed by Mahedi Hasan, reducing South Africa to 33-3. However, a fourth wicket stand between skipper Temba Bavuma (31 runs off 28) and Rassie van der Dussen (22 runs off 27) extinguished any hopes Bangladesh had to restrict South Africa to under 84 runs.

A magnificent catch by Shoriful Islam off Nasum Ahmed’s delivery dismissed Rasse van der Dussen but it was too little too late as South Africa wrapped up the victory in the 14th over to take one step closer in qualifying for the semi-finals. South Africa will face England on Sunday in a tough test to seal their place in the semis while Bangladesh will play for pride against Australia on Thursday.

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