Bangladesh missed a golden opportunity of recording their first-ever T20I win over South Africa as they lost the low-scoring contest in New York by just 4 runs.

Chasing a 114-run target after the Proteas made 113/6, Bangladesh were tantalisingly close to pick up a landmark win but fell short as they totalled 109/7 in 20 overs.

Bangladesh needed 6 off the last two balls of the final over bowled by Keshav Maharaj. The left-arm spinner gifted two full tosses under pressure, but the Bangladeshi batters could not capitalise on them. Off the penultimate ball, Mahmudullah's effort to clear long on was trapped in Aiden Markram's hands at the boundary. Tailender Taskin Ahmed faced the last ball, but he too failed to hit big off a high and wide full toss.

The win means South Africa have 6 points from three games and are almost certain of progressing to the Super Eight Stage. Bangladesh have 2 points and will have to fight it out with the other group members to get a ticket.

It should have been an easy chase for Bangladesh after pacers Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin had restricted South Africa to a low total. But top-order failure and lack of big-hitters in the middle order did not give them the desired momentum in the chase.

Brief scores: South Africa 113/6 in 20 ovs (Heinrich Klaasen 46; Tanzim Sakib 3/18, Taskin Ahmed 2/19). Bangladesh 109/7 in 20 ovs (Towhid Hridoy 37; Keshav Maharaj 3/27). South Africa won by 4 runs.