Watch: Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali splits bat into half in frustration during South Africa clash, video goes viral

Jaker Ali. (Source – ICC)

Players are already under immense pressure to perform for their teams in critical moments of any match, and this pressure is significantly heightened during a T20 World Cup game, a tournament of such considerable magnitude.

A similar tense situation unfolded during Match 21 of the T20 World Cup 2024 between South Africa and Bangladesh. After restricting the Proteas to a modest 113, Bangladesh would have expected to chase the target with relative ease. However, the pitch proved challenging, coupled with some high-quality bowling from the Proteas, leaving the match finely balanced with 18 runs needed off the final two overs.

The first five deliveries of the penultimate over yielded only five runs, as Ottneil Baartman bowled exceptionally well, stifling both Mahmudullah and Jaker Ali from finding the boundary. The final delivery of the penultimate over was mistimed and pulled to the deep midwicket region by wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali, who managed to return for the second run, with his score at 6 off 7 deliveries, struggling to find rhythm.

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During the attempted pull, Jaker seemingly heard an unusual creak from his bat, prompting him to check for any damage. In a fit of frustration, the 26-year-old forcefully slammed the bat onto his thigh, dislocating it from the joint connecting the handle and the face. Subsequently, he signalled to the dressing room for a replacement bat.

Here’s the video –

 

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Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Bangladesh’s Qualification Scenarios – Can they reach Super 8 after loss to South Africa?

With 11 runs required for victory in the final over, left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, maintained his composure to dismiss Jaker and Mahmudullah on the third and fifth deliveries, both of whom were caught at long-on by Proteas skipper, Aiden Markram. Consequently, Bangladesh fell short by four runs, with South Africa’s defence of 113 becoming the lowest target successfully defended by any team in the T20 World Cup.