In the first semi-final held in Benoni, India effectively contained South Africa, the tournament’s top-performing team in powerplay batting, restricting them to their lowest score within the initial fielding restrictions. The duo of Naman Tiwari and Raj Limbani orchestrated this feat by claiming two crucial wickets for 55 runs.
Tiwari capitalized on the lively pitch with significant movement off the surface, while his bowling partner, Limbani, skillfully manipulated the Kookaburra ball through the air, posing a challenge for the South African batsmen.
Limbani’s impact was particularly noteworthy, as he not only initiated the breakthrough by dismissing opener Steve Stolk with a well-directed delivery outside the off-stump but also grabbed attention with his dismissal of David Teeger.
During his fifth over of the initial spell, Limbani cleverly deceived Teeger with a delivery pitched around the sixth to seventh stump line, enticing him into a bold drive. Just as Teeger committed to the shot, the ball displayed subtle movement, deviating after pitching, and cleanly dislodged the off-stump, leaving the batsman bewildered.
Initially, there was speculation that Teeger might have made contact with the ball, given the noticeable disparity in impact between where the ball landed and the dislodged stumps.
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However, subsequent replays confirmed that it was Limbani’s skillful execution that deceived Teeger, as the Kookaburra ball remained untouched by the bat. This moment of brilliance from Limbani not only showcased his bowling prowess but also left an indelible mark on the cricketing fraternity.