Moeen Ali can look forward to his second semi-final appearance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after helping England top Group 1 in the UAE.
The Worcestershire Rapids Vitality Blast captain continued his own fine tournament against South Africa in Sharjah even though England surrendered their 100 per cent record.
Moeen again sparkled with the ball in the powerplay after being given the new ball and returned his side’s best figures of 1-27 from four overs.
He then was promoted to number three and top-scored with 37 with two sixes and three fours but England went down by 10 runs, scoring 179-8 in reply to the Proteas 189-2.
England and Australia will go through from Group 1 to the semi-finals with the semi-finalists from Group 2 to be decided on Sunday and Monday.
Moeen bowled his four overs in one spell and his second over bowled Reeza Hendricks after he attempted a slog sweep.
He delivered eight dot balls and conceded only three boundaries in another excellent spell.
The all-rounder, part of the England side which reached the 2016 final, now has tournament figures of 14-1-77-7 at an economy rate of just 5.50 runs per over.
When England batted, Moeen struck sixes off Aiden Makram over extra cover and Tabraiz Shamsi through long on.
He faced 27 balls and put on 51 with Dawid Malan for the third wicket.
Moeen was third out at 110 in the 13th over when caught at long on attempting another big hit off Shamsi.
