Kagiso Rabada's Match-Winning Spell Guides South Africa To Victory In T20 World Cup

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn expressed his admiration for Kagiso Rabada's match-winning performance against England in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024. The game took place at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on Friday (June 21).

Rabada's bowling figures of 2 for 32 were crucial, especially his death-over spell, as South Africa secured their second consecutive win in the Super Eights, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

Following South Africa's narrow 7-run victory, Steyn took to social media to praise an "aggressive" Rabada, who turned the match in the final overs. "An aggressive Rabada equals a winning SA team. When he gives a f***, and he showed that today, we inevitably win," Steyn posted on X after South Africa moved closer to a semi-final spot.

An aggressive Rabada equals a winning SA team. When he gives a fuck, and he showed that today, we inevitably win.

Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) June 21, 2024

Rabada removed an in-form Phil Salt in his first over while defending a total of 163. He conceded just 10 runs in his initial two overs, bowling to dangerous batsmen Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow. While he gave away 8 runs in his opening over, Rabada conceded only 2 runs in his second.

The speedster returned for his second spell during the closing stages when England seemed poised for victory. Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone targeted him in the 15th over, resulting in Rabada conceding 18 runs.

With South Africa needing to defend 35 runs from 18 balls, Rabada returned to tilt the match by removing Livingstone on the second delivery of the 18th over and conceding just 4 runs in his final over.

Fellow pacers Marco Jansen (0/31) and Anrich Nortje (1/35) followed up with excellent final overs as South Africa restricted England to 156/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Spinner Keshav Maharaj (2/25) also bowled a tidy spell.

Jansen conceded 7 runs in the penultimate over, leaving Nortje with 14 runs to defend in the final over. Nortje removed Brook on the first ball and gave away just 6 runs to secure a 7-run victory for South Africa.

Earlier, after being put into bat, South Africa relied on Quinton de Kock's 65 off 38 balls and David Miller's cameo of 43 from 28 balls to post a total of 163/6 in their innings. For England, Jofra Archer was the top wicket-taker with figures of 3 for 40.

South Africa will next face West Indies in their final Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua & Barbuda on Sunday (June 23).