ICC World T20 2014: JP Duminy, Dale Steyn hand South Africa crucial victory

Dale Steyn celebrates running out Ross Taylor

Chittagong (Bangladesh), March 24 (IANS) JP Duminy’s explosive batting and Dale Steyn’s sensational bowling gave South Africa their first win, beating New Zealand by two runs in an ICC World Twenty20 Group 1 match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here on Monday.

Duminy smashed an unbeaten 86 off 43 balls rescuing South Africa from a wobbly situation and taking them to 17 for six in 20 overs.

New Zealand looked set to overhaul South Africa’s score with Ross Taylor (62 off 37 balls) leading the charge.

Requiring 29 off the final three overs, New Zealand had Taylor and the dangerous Corey Anderson at the crease.

South African captain Faf du Plessis, though, still had a trump card in the form of Steyn in his hand.

Du Plessis brought back Steyn, who still had two overs left, to bowl the 18th over.

Steyn gave away just eight runs and picked up a wicket to keep South Africa in the hunt.

With the Kiwis requiring just seven runs off the last over, Steyn pulled the rabbit out of the hat, giving away just four runs and taking two wickets and with the final ball running out Taylor to keep South Africa in the hunt.

Earlier, South Africa put in to bat, were put under pressure thanks to some tight bowling.

Quinton de Kock (4), du Plessis (13) and AB de Villiers (13) were dismissed early which left South Africa reeling at 42 for three in the seventh over.

Hashim Amla (41) played a steady hand and set the stage for Duminy to unleash some brutal hitting.

The diminutive left-hander was in ominous form as he smashed 10 fours and three sixes in his blitzkrieg innings.

Nathan McCullum was the most economical of the Kiwi bowlers giving away 24 runs in his four overs and picking up a wicket.

Tim Southee and Corey Anderson were on the expensive side but managed to take two wickets each.