England pull off biggest World T20 run chase to beat South Africa

Overcome South Africa's 230-run target with 2 balls to spare

England's Joe Root bats against South Africa during their ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. (AP)

Mumbai: England pulled off its greatest World Twenty20 victory on Friday, beating South Africa by two wickets in the highest-ever run chase in the tournament's history.

Joe Root smashed 83 off 44 balls as England marched to 230-8 in 19.4 overs after South Africa had posted 229-4 on the back of half-centuries from Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock.

England openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales had provided a roller-coaster start of 48 off just 15 deliveries and Root motored along the chase by hitting six fours and four sixes against wayward South African bowling.

Earlier, Amla scored 58, Duminy remained unbeaten on 54 and de Kock smashed 52 in what looked to be an unbeatable South Africa total before Root capitalized on a perfect England start.

Brief Scores

South Africa: 229 for 4 in 20 overs. (H Amla 58, JP Duminy 54 not out, Q de Kock 52; M Ali 2/34)

England: 230/8 in 19.4 overs (Joe Root 83, Jason Roy 43).

England beat South Africa by 2 wickets.