It was a breathtaking end to a thrilling contest where the hosts Proteas held their nerves and clinched a nail-biting contest in the super over. Now, its time for the second T20I to take the center stage which will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Sri Lanka’s nightmares in white ball cricket are not letting them evolve much which is definitely haunting their World Cup preparations and the confidence as well.
It was a rare slow surface at the New Lands in Capetown which saw the Proteas almost choked in the closing moments of the game. Winning the toss, South Africa decided to chase which was a brave decision from skipper Faf as the surface was going to deteriorate later in the game.
Sri Lanka posted a competitive 134 on the board for the loss of 7 wickets courtesy Kamindu Mendis’s 41 from 29 deliveries which was the only talking point in an otherwise dismal show with the bat from the visitors. Andile Phehlk=ukwayo was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped 3 for 25 from 4 overs while others chipped in with a wicket each.
The Proteas were cruising with their chase as they were 119 for the loss of 5 wickets in 17 overs. But some really tight bowling from the Lankan bowlers led by the skipper himself Lasith Malinga in the last three overs did not let South Africa to score remaining 16 runs, as the match ended up with the scores tied at 134.
The dessert was served in the form of a thrilling super-over which saw Miller and Rassie van der Dussen taking the guard for the hosts while the visiting skipper Lasith Malinga had the ball in the hand. A six and a four from David Miller helped the Proteas post 15 runs which meant Sri Lanka needed 16 to win the first T20I.
Now it was all on the shoulders of Imran Tahir to take his side home and boy he did it in style as he gave away only 5 runs which included 2 wide runs and 3 off the bat. His heroics helped Proteas go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
South Africa won- 02
Sri Lanka won- 03
Where – SuperSports Park, Centurion
When – 09:30 PM IST, March 22, 2019
Sri Lanka:
South Africa:
Sri Lanka:
Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Angelo Perera, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Isuru Udana.
South Africa:
Reeza Hendricks/S Qeshile, Andile Phehlukwayo, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Aiden Markram, Lutho Sipamla, Tabraiz Shamsi, D Pretorius, JP Duminy, Chris Morris.
Players to watch out:
The Proteas are left with 12 members in their squad after some injuries and rest given to their top players. From the Proteas, the likes of JP Duminy, David Miller, Aiden Markram will hold the key in the batting, whereas, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir and Andile Phehlukwayo will be crucial with the ball.
For the visitors, the impetus in the batting department will rely heavily on Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, N Dickwella and Kusal Mendis. Their bowling strength revolves around the skipper Lasith Malinga and Isuru Udana. Among others, Thisara Perera can be one to watch out.
Risky Picks:
Note: Make SL vs SA Dream11 Team as per your discretion from the squad listed above and team news.