Staff Reporter.
Proteas pulled off a frantic four-wicket win in the final over against Sri Lanka in the Men’s T20 World Cup, despite Wanindu Hasaranga’s sublime hat-trick.
With the Proteas needing 16 from the final over, David Miller launched two towering sixes off Lahiru Kumara, before Kagiso Rabada flayed the penultimate ball away for four.
Sri Lanka leg-spinner Hasaranga had seemingly turned the tie in his side’s favour by claiming a hat-trick across two overs to leave South Africa struggling on 112-6, chasing 143 to win.
But Miller’s composure and impeccable timing carried the Proteas to 146-6 and a vital victory that boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals from Group 1.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka hit a fine 72 off 58 balls to help his side post 142, despite South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi’s superb 3-17.
South Africa made one change with Quinton de Kock returning to the starting XI in place of Heinrich Klaasen. Captain Themba Bavuma said both de Kock and the team were “…feeling much better than we were a couple of days ago” following the controversy over his omission against the West Indies.
Defeat does not mathematically eliminate Sri Lanka but a second defeat in three games leaves them very unlikely to progress.
South Africa now head to Abu Dhabi to facing Bangladesh on Tuesday while Sri Lanka’s next match is against England on Monday in Sharjah.
South Africa:Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Sri Lanka:Kusal Perera (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara.