Kagiso Rabada picks up T20 World Cup hat-trick with last-gasp heroics vs England

England are through to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, but only after the heroics of Kagiso Rabade condemned them to a first defeat of the tournament against South Africa

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Kagiso Rababda took a final over hat-trick as South Africa claimed victory in a thrilling clash with England at the T20 World Cup.

Chasing 190 in Sharjah, Eoin Morgan’s reached 176-5 and were left needing 14 from six balls to maintain their 100% record in the tournament, but it was then that Rabada took centre stage.

The fast bowler had Chris Woakes, Morgan and Chris Jordan caught in the deep off consecutive deliveries, and then in the three balls that followed Adil Rashid and Mark Wood could only scramble three runs.

Woakes, who had cracked his very first delivery for six, fell victim to a superb boundary catch from Anrich Nortje, before Morgan perished when his pull-shot fell into the hands of Keshav Maharaj.

Rabada’s golden moment then came when Jordan holed out to David Miller, as figures of 0-45 from three overs ended as 3-48 from four.

However, the right-armer’s heroics didn’t prevent England going through to the semi-finals as group winners, and even more significantly for the Proteas, weren’t enough to send them into the final four.

Australia’s win over the West Indies earlier on the day meant that South Africa’s inferior net run-rate meant a narrow win over England wouldn’t be enough to seal qualification.

Temba Bavuma’s side gave themselves a chance by posting a total of 189-2, thanks in main to Rassie van der Dussen’s superb knock of 94 not out off 60 balls, along with an unbeaten 52 off just 25 deliveries from Aiden Markram.

That meant they would have to restrict England to less than 131 to progress, with Morgan’s side themselves simply needed to surpass 87 to prolong their own tournament. They duly surpassed both targets, despite the potential hammer blow of losing Jason Roy to what appeared a serious calf injury, with the opener having to be assisted off the field after injuring himself running a single with partner Jos Buttler.

Roy was on 20 at the time, while Buttler went on to make 26, but further contributions from Moeen Ali (37), Dawid Malan (33), Liam Livingstone (28) and Morgan (17) weren’t enough to prevent England from a first defeat.

Regardless, a semi-final with New Zealand now looks the most likely scenario, a rematch of the memorable 2019 ODI final which England won after a Super Over.

Australia are now almost certain to face Pakistan, now the only unbeaten side left in the World Cup.