Netherlands are known to create upsets in big tournaments and they did it once again by beating South Africa in their finals Super 12s game. It was a must win game for South Africa to reach semi-finals of T20 World Cup 2022 but the Proteas side crumbled under pressure and fell short by 13 runs.
Batting first, brilliant knocks from Tom Cooper (35 off 19 balls) and Colin Ackermann (41 off 26 balls) powered Netherlands to 158 on a slow pitch. In reply, South Africa kept losing wickets in regular intervals and were eventually got restricted for 145. While Netherlands bowling was one factor, their fielding was also played a crucial part in the win.
Roelof van der Merwe's catch to get rid of in-form David Miller was the major turning point as the Proteas couldn't recover post Miller's departure. Miller scored 17 off 17 and was looking to play a finisher's role when a brilliant catch from 37-year-old Roelof van der Merwe ended South Africa's hope.
Watch the catch here:
Pakistan vs Bangladesh - A virtual knockout!
The shocking loss of South Africa means that the clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan becomes a virtual knockout. Whoever wins the game will become the fourth semi-finalists after New Zealand, England and India.
