The entertaining, low-scoring trend at New York continues, as the Proteas have now gone 3 for 3 with a narrow victory against a spirited Bangladesh.

Skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bat first, and even though Quinton de Kock hit a 6 and a 4 in the first over, Tanzim Hasan would bounce back and trap Reeza Hendricks LBW. After hitting  second 6, de Kock departed in the third over – a ball that stayed a touch low rattled his stumps. Taskin Ahmed joined the fun when he knocked over Markram.

And when Tristan Stubbs popped an easy catch to cover, Tanzim got his third wicket. It was back to square one for the Proteas, as it was an all-too-familiar top-order capitulation. However, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller once again consolidated during a tougher middle-overs period.

The pair added 79 runs in as many deliveries, with Klaasen counterattacking legspinner Rishad Hossain. Consecutive maximums in the 10th over relieved some of the early jitters, and Miller would hit his first six in the 14th over.

But Bangladesh would dry up the runs at the back end. Both set batters tried to take risks, but the big shots didn’t come off. Fortunately, SA had passed 100, and a few singles and doubles from Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj took them to 113 at halftime.

What looked to be a straightforward chase, very much like the game India vs Pakistan came, started off in eventful fashion. Tanzid Hasan hit two boundaries, but Kagiso Rabada rebounded when he edged behind.

The Tigers lost just one wicket during the Powerplay, but the introduction of Keshav Maharaj elicited a badly-needed opening. Litton Das offered Miller an easy catch at cover, and Anrich Nortje would snaffle Shakib Al Hasan with a ferocious short ball.

Nortje’s bumper would do the trick again, as Najmul Hossain Shanto mistimed a hook to square leg. At 50/4, Bangladesh were reeling, but Towhid Hridoy had other plans. The young, hard-hitting right-hander took the attack to Maharaj, and deftly rotated strike with Mahmudullah.

Fine margins would have the last laugh, as Rabada returned to end the 44-run stand with a close LBW. It looked a little leg-sided, but it would’ve potentially shaved leg stump, and that was that for the well-set Hridoy.

Tight overs from the seamers at the death left 11 runs to defend for Maharaj. The game could’ve swung the other way, but two attempted big hits over long-on from Jaker Ali and Mahmudullah failed to clear the boundary rider, and Taskin Ahmed couldn’t get the final delivery away. It was a nerve-wracking but priceless 4-run victory for the men in green and gold.

With three victories, SA are now in prime position to move on to the Super 8’s. There still are clouds of doubt hanging over the heads of the top 3, but they were successfully bailed out by the middle order today. Undoubtedly, there will be multiple points to ponder, but for now, there’s time for rest and relaxation.

SA 113/6 in 20 overs (Klaasen 46, Miller 29 – Tanzim 4-0-18-3, Taskin 4-0-19-2)

BAN 109/7 in 20 overs (Hridoy 37, Mahmudullah 20 – Maharaj 4-0-27-3, Rabada 4-0-19-2)