Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn heaped a massive praise on Kagiso Rabada for his bowling brilliance in Proteas' seven-wicket win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia on Friday, June 22.
After posting a total of 163/6, South Africa's bowling attack restricted England to 156/6 despite fireworks from Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (3) in the crucial stages of the match. By the end of the 17th over, England were in a winning position, requiring 25 off 18 balls to win the match.
However, Kagiso Rabada's bowling in the 18th over, where he conceded just 4 runs and picked a crucial wicket of Liam Livingstone, turned the tables around for South Africa. In the final over, Anrich Nortje dismissed Harry Brook to secure the victory for the Proteas.
Taking to his X handle (formerly Twitter), Dale Steyn said that aggressive bowling by Kagiso Rabada is essential for South Africa's win.
"An aggressive Rabada equals a winning SA team. When he gives a f**k, and he showed that today, we inevitably win." former South Africa pacer wrote on X.
Kagiso Rabada registered the figures of 2/32 with an economy rate of 8 in four overs, while Keshav Maharaj picked two wickets while conceding 25 runs with an economy rate of 6.2 in his full quota of four overs.
Apart from Rabada and Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman and Anrich Nortje too contributed to South Africa's bowling by taking a wicket each. Baartman leaked 21 runs in the 17th over, but Rabada and Nortje diffused England's fightback.
South Africa extends unbeaten streak in T20 World Cup 2024
With the win over England in their second Super 8 clash, South Africa extended their unbeaten to six matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The Proteas finished the group stage on the top of the table by all four matches against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Nepal in Group A.
Aiden Markram-led Proteas men won their opening match of the Super 8 against the USA. South Africa are the only team to win six matches on the trot in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup. Australia are currently on five-match winning streak.
South Africa, Australia and West Indies were the only teams to remain unbeaten in the first round of the tournament.
South Africa have almost secured their berth for the semifinals and will take on co-hosts West Indies in their final Super 8 match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on June 24, Monday.
