Things started getting heated up in the T20 World Cup for the last few days. We have seen a couple of close-thrillers in the last two days. Now, we have witnessed yet another thriller between South Africa and Sri Lanka. It was David Miller’s heroics in the last over which helped the Proteas cross the line and win the game while chasing a target of 143 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliant hat-trick gone wasted. Sri Lanka now needs to win its remaining two games to keep semifinal hopes alive.
South Africa had a slow start while chasing this moderate target. It lost the wickets of openers de Kock and Hendricks inside the powerplay. Star striker van der Dussen got dismissed in the eighth over. Skipper Bavuma (46) then settled the game with Aiden Makram (19). When they were looking threatening, Hasaranga (3/20) dismissed both the batters, along with Dwaine Pretorius. His hat-trick further pushed Africans into trouble. They needed 15 runs off the final over. That’s when David Miller (23*) flexed his arms and had hit two sixes and removed pressure off his team.
With the help of Rabada (13*) and Miller’s partnership of 34 runs (15 balls), South Africa managed to score 146/6 in 19.5 overs.
Sri Lanka had a forgettable time with the bat during the first innings. Barring opener Nissanka’s (72) lone fight, no other batter was able to contribute to their team. The Lankans were in a considerably good position with a score of 62/3 in 9.3 overs. Slowly, things started getting worse when South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi (4-0-17-3) and Dwaine Pretorius (3-0-17-3) came into the picture. The duo never allowed Lankan batters to go hard and took wickets in regular intervals. With the help of their brilliant spells, South Africa managed to get Sri Lanka all-out for a total of 142 by the end of 20 overs. Even speedster Anrich Nortje bowled a impressive spell (2/27).
Sri Lanka will play its do-or-die match against England on November 1. On the flip side, South Africa will face Bangladesh on November 2.