edged past the keeper for four! SOUTH AFRICA WIN! Absolutely raucous scenes in the South Africa dug-out! This is the type of game they so often fall short in at World Cups, a certain C-word gets used fairly liberally, too. But at least today, South Africa have flipped the script in a sensational finish
Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 25th Match, Group 1 at Sharjah, T20 World Cup, Oct 30 2021 - Match Result
South Africa won by 4 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)
"It's quite hard to put everything that's happened over the last couple of days," a relieved Bavuma says. "There was a bit of it at the back of the mind but we had a job to do and we had to dig deep. I was a bit tense but I had confidence in David, he hadn't done in a long time for us to credit to him. He's got one of the most beautiful swings, like a golf swing. Shamsi is a big player for us, a weapon, we've seen wristspinners are always effective in this format. I took on the responsibility to finish it off and the wicket wasn't an easy one but someone had to take it till the end. The shot was on and I was a bit irritated with myself that I wasn't able to execute."
"It was enough to defend for Lahiru," Shanaka says. "He was bowling yorkers and he was superb in the practice games which is why I went with him. Credit to South Africa batsmen, they finished really well. Nissanka has been classic, he showed in this tournament as well. He's got a bright career and is a real prospect for Sri Lanka ahead. It's really hard for us after this game, next two games we hope to keep our pride."
Right, so my TV pictures have switched to the second game, so join us for that, but this is it for our coverage of this superb afternoon game. Thanks for joining, and see you again soon.
Vasant: "Well we're finally getting some close matches -- but its still the side chasing that is winning!"
Zainulabeddin: "Killer Miller, you beauty....."
short ball, rushes onto Miller, he slips slightly, but they come through for a single. Scores are level
in the slot, out of the park! Monstered away out of the stadium again! Rabada is pumped and the two bump fists! South Africa just two away from a sensational heist here
well there's one! That was in the slot and Miller's smashed it out of the stadium I reckon! How sweetly timed was that? Glorious ball striking. South Africa one six away from victory, you'd imagine
banged into the pitch, thick inside edge that gets Miller back on strike. South Africa need two sixes in five balls. Can Miller do it?
Yogesh: "It's Rabada who is doing Asif Ali." Needs a couple more in that case. Anyway, Kumara to bowl the final over
just a single to long-off, and Rabada will be on strike for a final over in which South Africa need 15
that was a wide full toss, and Rabada swings and misses! Real missed opportunity that
Rabada smashes it over wide long-off! What a shot that is! Chameera missed his length ever so slightly and Rabada hits beautifully through the line to keep his side in the game
that was blasted back, nearly took Rabada with it, but the captain at long-off is very good with the way he collects and throws, so it's just one
digs that attempted yorker out to long-off
begins with a yorker right in the blockhole, just a single that gets Rabada on strike
shariq: "Miller to be Asif Ali today!"
tried to slog it, but just gets a single. Miller keeps the strike, and South Africa need 25 off two. It's Miller or bust right now
clobbered to wide long-on, where Fernando does brilliantly to keep it down to two
muscled into the onside for a couple
huge appeal for lbw! That looked really, really close. Sri Lanka review for what could be four wickets in four balls from Hasaranga. It's pitched outside leg, which saves Rabada
Correction, that's actually a hat-trick. He was coming off a wicket in his previous spell. And it looks like a match-winning spell
two in two! Has Hasaranga led Sri Lanka to victory here? Pretorious tried to slog first ball, and he holed out straight to long-on!
short ball, Bavuma looked like he had smashed that over cow corner, but Nissanka leaps high into the air and plucks it out of thin air. Really good catch, and just as Bavuma looks like he was finding his timing, he departs! The Sri Lankan fans roar!
Hasaranga comes in for his final over. Do SA attack or can they afford to see him through?
tucked away to square leg for a single. 10 off the over, which is par.
nudges it into the onside and they scuttle through for a couple
and as soon as I say that, Bavuma clobbers one over midwicket - how sweetly timed was that? Went soaring into the stands, using the bowler's pace, and how badly did South Africa need that?
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
1W | 2W | |||
Sharjah Cricket Stadium | |
Toss | South Africa, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2021/22 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | T20I no. 1378 |
Match days | 30 October 2021 - day (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | South Africa 2, Sri Lanka 0 |
Over 20 • SA 146/6
South Africa won by 4 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)