Despite beating Sri Lanka by 77 runs, South Africa sweated to win
This year’s T20 World Cup is the first battle between two big teams. As much excitement as it was supposed to spread, it did not spread as much. The entertainment of T20 cricket was not found in this match.
South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for just 77 runs. But to chase 78 they had to play 16.2 overs. Proteas, one of the favorites, started the World Cup with a win with 6 wickets in hand.
South Africa has also come down to chase a modest target. In the power play of 6 overs they could score only 27 runs with the loss of 2 wickets. Riza Hendricks was 4 off 2 balls and Aiden Markram was out for 12 off 14 balls.
Like Quinton de Kock, Marquette batsmen have also played in the Test mood. He scored 20 off 27 balls. Just 13 from 28 balls came from the bat of Tristan Stubbs.
After losing 4 wickets for 58 runs in the 13th over, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller led the team. Klassen scored 19 off 22 balls and Miller left the field as the winner with 6 runs off 6 balls.
Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga took 2 wickets with 22 runs.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan skipper informed about the decision to bat after winning the toss at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York, batting wicket. That is why it is better to decide to bat first.
But the South African bowlers proved the Lankan skipper’s idea completely wrong. Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 77 runs in 19.1 overs by the Protea bowlers.
The Lankan batters were under pressure from the start. Pathum Nishanka got out with only 3 runs. Kushal Mendis scored the maximum 19 runs. 11 runs came from the bat of Kamindu Mendis.
Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadira Samarawickrama failed to open the account of runs. Charith Ashalanka departed after scoring 6 runs. Angelo Mathews scored 16 runs. Dasun Shanaka was dismissed for 9 runs. 7 runs come from the bat of Mahesh Thiksana. He was undefeated. Mathisa Pathirana, Nuan Thusara out for no runs.
Proteas pacer Henrich Norkia was the most devastating. He took 4 wickets with 7 runs in 4 overs. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj took 2 wickets each. 1 was taken by Otniel Bartman.
MMR/
