Netherlands pacer Ahsan Malik Jamil career best maiden five-wicket haul in T20 format went to vain as South Africa bounced back in the winning track with a nail-biting six runs victory over Netherlands in their second match of the ICC World T20 held Thursday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Chasing South Africa’s 145 runs, Netherlands made a flying start but they failed to keep the tempo losing wickets in regular intervals and finally dismissed at 139 in 18.4 overs.
Opener Stephan Myburgh’s played an impressive 28-ball off 58- run hitting eight boundaries and two over boundaries as the Netherlands batsmen failed to build any effective partnership to chase the modest target.
Spinner Imran Tahir, who was later named the player of the match for his impressive bowling performance, scalped his maiden career best four wickets haul giving away 21 runs. He was well supported by Dale Steyn, who claimed two wickets conceding 19
runs.
Besides, Jean-Paul Duminy, Beuran Hendricks and Lonwabo Tsotsobe took one wicket apiece for South Africa.
Earlier, despite Ahsan Malik Jamil’s five-wicket haul, South Africa scored a healthy total of 145 for 9 from their allotted 20 overs, after they were forced to field first by the Netherlands.
Opener Hashim Amla top scored with 43 runs while Faf du Plessis added 24 runs as the Protease batsmen failed to build any effective partnership losing wickets in regular intervals in the face of tight bowling attacks by the Netherlands bowlers, especially Ahsan Malik.
Middle order batsmen AB de Villiers (21) and David Miller (17) were the other notable scorers for South Africa.
Ahsan Malik caused the major damage as he picked up his career best five- wicket haul giving away 19 runs.
Earlier, South Africa suffered a five-run defeat to Sri Lanka in their opening match.
