South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in yet another low-scoring encounter in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 which was played at New York's Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
South Africa are eager to have their hands on the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time and Aiden Markram’s man got the right start for it as they now sit on top of the points table of Group D.
After the Proteas’ win, this is how the World Cup points table looks like.
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
The Proteas chased the target of 78 in the 17th over. Quinton de Kock was the top-scorer for South Africa, making 20 off 27. Heinrich Klassen remained unbeaten on 19*.
Sri Lanka's skipper Wanindu Hasaranga took two wickets for 22 runs while Nuwan Thushara and Dasun Shanaka bagged a wicket apiece.
Meanwhile in the first innings, South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out for mere 77 runs after the Lions opted to bat first.
In a dismal batting performance, Sri Lanka's top order crumbled under the fierce South African bowling attack. Pathum Nissanka, opening the innings, fell cheaply, caught by Heinrich Klaasen off Ottneil Baartman Baartman for just 3 runs.
Kusal Mendis showed some resilience, scoring 19 runs off 30 balls, but his efforts ended with Anrich Nortje dismissing him. Kamindu Mendis also struggled, contributing only 11 runs.
Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama both departed without scoring. Charith Asalanka managed just 6 runs before falling to Nortje, leaving the team in a dire state.
Angelo Mathews provided a glimmer of hope with an unbeaten 16, including two sixes, but it was too little to salvage the innings. Dasun Shanaka's 9 runs were also not enough.
Nortje bagged impressive figures of 4/7 while Keshav Maharaj took 2/22. Kagiso Rabada ended with figures for 2/21.
