By: Nalin Jayetileke
South Africa beat Sri Lankan by nine wickets at the Premadasa Stadium yesterday. Sri Lankan 103 (Perera 30, Shamsi 3 for 20) South Africa 105 for 1 (de Kock 58*, Hasaranga 1-22)
South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out for their lowest first innings score to win the 2nd match of the 3 match series agent Sri Lanka played at the Premadasa Stadium yesterday. South Africa reached the score of 103 in just 15 overs losing only one wicket and then reached the target of 105 inside 15 overs. With one match remaining, Sri Lanka are left with lots of issues in the T20 format with which they have struggled to find form and consistency ahead of the T 20 World cup starting next month in Oman.
Kusal Perera was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with 30 runs making his comeback recovering from Covid-19. The only other batsman to show some resistance was Bhanuka Rajapaksa who made 20 runs.
This is South Africa’s third successive T20I series win
As Sri Lanka were approaching the half way mark, Sri Lanka captain hit the biggest six of the match, hitting it over the bowlers head on to the top-tier of the Premadsa stands, at a time Sri Lanka were struggling to get runs off the spinners. Lankan Skipper could not develop from there and was seen missing Shamsi Delivery which ended up hitting the stumps down. Shamsi finished with 3 for 20.
For South Africa batting, it was De Kock who did most of the damage and went in to score his 10th T 20I fifty for South Africa.
Whilst Sri Lanka struggles to find consistency in the T 20I format, South Africa on the other hand is not quite as bad as many may think. Speaking post match, the man of the match Shamsi said to have patience and understanding as the national side seeks to win the country’s hearts and minds after being inconsistent for over 2 years and that this side is as good as any other South African side that has played though they don’t have big names due to lack of many matches being played. Shamsi believes they will only get better with time.
“We’re on a run of consecutive series so I don’t think this team is rubbish. I think we are quite good,” Shamsi said. ”
The next match off the 3 match series will be played on Tuesday
Umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI), Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI)
TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
