T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: It’s all over for South Africa. It was rather a disappointing end because they couldn’t qualify to the semifinals due to a low Net Run Rate. Australia, which has equal points to South Africa, have been qualified for the semis due to a better run rate. South Africans needed to win their last game against England with a margin of more than 60 runs. They won the match but only by 10 runs. Thus, they ended their campaign in the Super 12 stage itself.
After winning the toss, England chose to bowl first. They got an early breakthrough as Reeza Hendricks got out in the third over. de Kock (34) then made a valuable 71-run partnership with van der Dussen (94*) and has put South Africa in a dominant position. After de Kock’s dismissal, van der Dussen took over the charge and started smacking English bowlers all over the park. He got good support from Aiden Makram (52*). Eventually, both of them finished their respective half-centuries as well. Their 103-run stand gave South Africa a big total of 189/2 in 20 overs. van der Dussen was impressed with a scintillating knock and almost reached the century mark.
While chasing this huge target, England got an early blow as opener Jason Roy got retired hurt. However, their scoreboard kept ticking all the time despite losing wickets regularly. South African bowlers tried their best but restricting England for less than 130 runs was a herculean task for them. When England went past that score, South Africans didn’t give up and gave their all energies to win the game. In the last over, England needed 14 runs to win. That’s when Kagiso Rabada (3/48) took a hat-trick in the first three balls and made South Africa’s win evident. Finally, England managed to score 179/8 in 20 overs and lost the game by 10 runs.
It was a disappointing climax for South Africa because they lost a semis berth due to the lower Net Run Rate. However, they should feel proud of their efforts in beating England in their last league game. Meanwhile, England and Australia have now qualified for the semifinals from Group A. While Australia will face Pakistan in the semis, it has to be seen which team among India, New Zealand and Afghanistan will get a chance to face England in the next stage.