Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Steyn dismissed Williamson, Anderson, Ronchi and Nathan McCullum

South Africa pace bowler Dale Steyn claimed four victims and all-rounder Jean Paul (JP) Duminy scored a spectacular half-century to break New Zealand’s heart in a nail-biting two-run victory in Chittagong.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum would have been delighted with his decision to bowl first as South Africa opener Quinton de Kock was caught behind off the bowling of Kyle Mills for only four runs.

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis scored 13 runs before he was caught by Nathan McCullum at cover off the bowling of Tim Southee.

AB de Villiers failed to have an impact as well as he was clean bowled by Nathan McCullum for just five runs.

Despite the flurry of wickets, Hashim Amla managed to keep his composure and score 41 runs off 40 balls, which included two boundaries, before he was caught and bowled by Corey Anderson.

Amla was also involved in a vital 55-run partnership with Duminy.

David Miller only made six runs before he was also caught and bowled by Anderson.

Albie Morkel smashed a quickfire 13 before he had his stumps shattered by Southee.

South Africa eventually finished on 170/6 thanks to Duminy’s unbeaten knock of 86, which came off 43 balls and included 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Anderson and Southee picked up two wickets apiece, while Mills and McCullum chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 171 to win, New Zealand got off to a solid start as their opening pair of Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson amassed a 57-run partnership before Guptill was caught behind off the bowling of Morkel for 22.

Brendon McCullum only made four runs before he was brilliantly stumped by de Kock off the bowling of Imran Tahir.

Williamson and Ross Taylor stabilised the innings with a 51-run partnership, during which Williamson brought up his half-century, before he was caught by de Villiers at deep midwicket off the bowling of Steyn.

William’s excellent knock of 51 came off 35 balls and included five boundaries and two sixes.

Colin Munro scored seven runs before he was caught by Amla at deep midwicket off the bowling of Tahir.

Anderson also made seven runs before he was caught by Miller at long-on off the bowling of Steyn.

Luke Ronchi fared no better as he was caught behind off the bowling of Steyn for five runs.

Nathan McCullum scored four runs before he was caught by du Plessis at extra cover off the bowling of Steyn.

Needing three runs to win off the last ball, Steyn became South Africa’s hero when he ran Taylor out for 68, which came off 37 balls and included four boundaries and three sixes.

Taylor also surpassed 1,000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals during his valiant innings.

Steyn was the standout bowler for South Africa as he took four wickets, while Tahir snapped up two and Morkel picked up one.

McCullum congratulated South Africa for a competitive game, and said: “Credit to SA for the way they hung in there, we probably should have won it easily, can’t take it to the final over against a top bowler like Steyn. Little bit of luck and we’d have got across the line.”

Du Plessis was extremely impressed with Steyn’s final over, and said: “I was thinking all the time, Steyn is my trump card, I need to bring him back in the game. Fantastic effort from him.”

Duminy edged out Steyn for the Man of the Match award.