Keshav Maharaj shines as South Africa keep their unbeaten start to the T20 World Cup alive with a dramatic victory against Bangladesh

Spinner Keshav Maharaj bowled a six-run, two-wicket final over as South Africa held off Bangladesh by four runs to stay unbeaten in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Bangladesh needed 11 from the last six deliveries to register a famous win, then needed a six off the last ball. Taskin Ahmed came to the crease after the seventh wicket fell and faced the delivery, a full toss by Maharaj, but only managed one run.

On a typically tough batting pitch in New York, South Africa defended just 113 for six, restricting Bangladesh to 109 for seven. It was the lowest target ever defended in a T20 World Cup.

‘That was not nice on the heart, but it feels good that we got over the line,’ said top-scorer Heinrich Klaasen. ‘This wicket is not great for stroke play. We got some information from the last game and applied it. We got a decent total.’

South Africa batted first and saw Tanzim Sakib trap Reeza Hendricks for a golden duck before the Proteas slumped to 23 for four.

David Miller came up with another rescue job, scoring 29 off 38 balls and putting on 79 runs for the fifth wicket with Klaasen. He hit 46 off 44, including two fours and three sixes, to hand South Africa a par total.

Bangladesh’s chase faltered at the start, too. They were 37 for three and 50 for four at halfway, but at 94 for four in the 18th over, appeared to be back in the driver’s seat. But they lost wickets rapidly to spiral out of control. Maharaj finished with three for 27, while Kagiso Rabada (two for 19) and Anrich Nortje (two for 17) also bowled well.

South Africa are now in pole position to secure a Super Eight spot from Group D.