Kagiso Rabada roars in delight as South Africa win in the final over. Photo ICC[/caption]
South Africa beat Sri Lanka in by four wickets in a thrilling low-scoring T20 World Cup Super-12 Group-1 match at Sharjah yesterday (30). Needing 15 runs in the final over, David Miller struck two lusty blows on the leg side, over the line, off a hapless Lahiru Kumara.
To add to his below-par batting contribution in the tournament so far, Sri Lanka Captain Dasun Shanaka made severe blunders in his bowling changes yesterday which cost the game for Sri Lanka in the final analysis.
Objectively, his best pick, Dushmantha Chameera, could have bowled at overs no. 18 and 20, instead of 17 and 19, having known obviously that South Africa run chase went on till the final over.
When had Kumara bowled in the death before saving runs in a tight run chase in a major encounter? Kumara took the battering by Miller in the form of two huge sixes when it matters most - the last over. The experience of a sharp bowler could have saved the day for the Lankans.
What this tactical blunder could have cost the Lankans is place in the semi-final sport in the World Cup. With the loss yesterday, Sri Lanka’s chances of making it to the last four from their six-team Group falls to almost nothing.
Had they beaten the Proteas, one more win out of their next two games --against either England or West Indies-- could have put them in a great place to reach the semis with three wins out of five matches in the Super 12 stage.
Avishka Fernando’s batting in the middle-order looked puzzling as he is a genuine opener - he struggles more of less against the spin when he come down the order.
And Skipper Shanaka continued for yet another time to impress with either bat or ball creating a doubt over whether he remains in the side only because he is the Captain.
After being asked to bat first, Pathum Nissanka’s knock of 72 carried Sri Lanka to 142.
When Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Aiden Markram, South Africa were needing 41 off the last four overs. In his last over, Hasaranga dismissed Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius too to complete his second T20I hat-trick.
Brief Scores:
T20 World Cup Super-12, Group-1, Match 25/45 in Dubai:
South Africa win by four wickets
Sri Lanka 142/10 (20) (Pathum Nissanka 72, Charith Asalanka 21, Dasun Shanaka 11; Tabraiz Shamzi 3/17, Dwaine Pretorius 3/17, Anrich Nortje 2/27)
South Africa 146/6 (19.5) (Temba Bavuma 46, David Miller 23 n.o., Rassie van der Dussen 16, Kagiso Rabada 13 n.o.; Wanindu Hasaranga 3/20, Dushmantha Chameera 2/27
Player of the Match: Tabraiz Shamzi (South Africa)