Kagiso Rabada says the Proteas had net run rate in mind when chasing down their target of 85 against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

South Africa did so in 13.3 overs to claim their third win in four Super 12 matches at the T20 World Cup. They now have six log points and a net run rate of +0.742, with one more Super 12 match against England to come on Saturday (4pm SA time). With four wins from four, England are almost certain to reach the semis.

“I guess we can take confidence out of our team performances as a collective heading into the England game,” said Rabada. “We know it’s going to be a very tough game.”

The Proteas’ main competitors for that second Group 1 spot are Australia, who have four log points with two matches to play – against Bangladesh on Thursday and the West Indies on Saturday. If they lose one of those and the Proteas lose to England, it could come down to net run rate (Australia’s is currently -0.627).

Rabada said the Proteas had therefore set themselves a 15-over target before going in to bat against Bangladesh.

“That was the chat, we tried to finish the game as earlier as possible and we’re happy with where we finished the game. In saying that, we tried to keep it as simple as possible.

“There was a clear instruction that we should try and finish the game before 15 and we did that.”

Earlier, Rabada had excelled with the ball, taking a T20I career-best 3-20 in his four overs.

The 26-year-old fast bowler removed opener Mohammad Naim (9) and Soumya Sarka (0) in consecutive deliveries and then Mushfiqur Rahim (0) in his next over as Bangladesh collapsed to 84 all out in 18.2 overs.

“I bowled three overs up front and there was a bit of bounce, a bit of seam movement and some swing,” he said. “The conditions were in my favour and all I had to do was get the ball in the right area.

“It feels good to contribute to the team’s success, I’ll take it, but it feels good to take wickets, especially up front in the powerplay and making inroads – it’s what I strive to do.”

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