Kagiso Rabada claimed a last-over hat trick and South Africa exited the T20 World Cup in style with a 10-run win against previously unbeaten England on Saturday.
Put in to bat and needing a convincing win, South Africa scored 189-2 and restricted England’s chase to 179-8. Rabada (3-48) claimed the wickets of Chris Woakes, Eoin Morgan and Chris Jordan in the 20th over, all of them catches as England desperately sought big runs.
But ending England’s four-game winning streak at the tournament wasn’t enough for South Africa. The result means Group 1 winner England and second-place Australia advance to the semifinals with a superior net run rate. All three teams finished on eight points.
Pakistan is the only team to have advanced from Group 2 so far.
England’s bowlers expected an onslaught from South Africa, and got it. Rassie van der Dussen hit an undefeated 94 off 60 balls, including five fours and six sixes. Aiden Markram smashed a 25-ball 52 not out.
Pacer Mark Wood went for 0-47 in four overs after being the only change made by England from its win against Sri Lanka. Wood came in for Tymal Mills, who is injured and out of the tournament.
South Africa stayed unchanged from its win over Bangladesh.