CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh — Dale Steyn produced a gem of fast bowling to help South Africa secure a two-run win over New Zealand on Monday in the World Twenty20.
Steyn returned with figures of 4-17 as South Africa restricted New Zealand to 168-8 after they scored 170-6.
Needing seven runs to win in the last over, New Zealand could score only four against Steyn.
"He proved today why he has been the world’s best bowler for such a long period team," South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis said. "I thought new Zealand got themselves ina position where they should have won the game and something special was required for us to try and get away."
Generating pace and an accurate line and length, Steyn confounded the New Zealand batsmen in the last over. He started with the wicket of Luke Ronchi, who played in cross bat as wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock dived full length to take an excellent catch.
Steyn’s next two deliveries were dot balls before Nathan McCullum connected on the fourth. He fell on the next delivery by Steyn to leave the side requiring three off one ball.
Ross Taylor negotiated the last delivery but the pitched-up delivery confused him. He ran for a run but Steyn calmly took off the bail to trap Taylor run out.
"If Dale and the other bowlers didn’t produce something in the last two, three overs, could have gone the other way," South Africa batsman JP Duminy said.
Taylor made New Zealand the favourite to win the match until Steyn produced the last over magic. He scored 62 off 37, including four fours and three sixes. Kane Williamson made 51.
Imran Tahir finished 2-27 for South Africa.
Earlier, Duminy hit 86 not out for South Africa to lay a platform for its first victory in the tournament. Hashim Amal scored 41.
Duminy’s defining innings helped the side to recover from a relatively shaky start as New Zealand bowled brilliantly.
Duminy struck 10 fours and three sixes off 43 balls. His aggressive batting in the last five overs enabled South Africa to score 70 runs, 51 of which were his.
New Zealand bowlers made early inroads with Kyle Mills taking out De Kock on 4. Tim Southee removed Du Plessis (13), while Nathan McCullum spun one viciously past AB de Villiers to dismiss him on 5, making South Africa 42-3.
Amal and Duminy revived the innings with a partnership of 55 until Amal slashed one back toward the bowler powerfully but it hit non-striker Duminy’s bat and Corey Anderson took a simple return catch to remove him.
Amal made 41 off 40, including two fours. Albie Morkel scored 13 each.
Anderson and Southee claimed two wickets apiece.