80/4 (16.2)
CR : 4.90
77/10 (19.1)
CR : 4.02
South Africa won by 6 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Anrich Nortje
4/7
Most economical four-over spells in Men's T20 World Cups:
1.75 - Anrich Nortje vs Sri Lanka in New York – TODAY
2.00 - Ajantha Mendis vs Zimbabwe in Hambantota, 2012
2.00 - Mahmudullah vs Afghanistan in Mirpur, 2014
2.00 - Wanindu Hasaranga vs UAE in Geelong, 2022
1.75 - Anrich Nortje vs Sri Lanka in New York – TODAY
2.00 - Ajantha Mendis vs Zimbabwe in Hambantota, 2012
2.00 - Mahmudullah vs Afghanistan in Mirpur, 2014
2.00 - Wanindu Hasaranga vs UAE in Geelong, 2022
Player of the Match: Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje (Player of the Match): "Definitely. To get some momentum going. It's been a tough few days and we have been working really hard. Happy to get the win.
Very happy. Like you said, you touched all the aspects there. Things didn't go my way in the last few games. But it was good today and things went my way. It was a tough wicket there and the guys did really well. Happy to pull it off for the team.
We didn't know what to expect. We heard a couple of rumours that it will stay up and down. The boys started really well. They hit the straps and it allowed me to come and hit the straps and see what it is there in the wicket. It won't be the same throughout this game. So, we have to assess the conditions quickly going forward.
I find it sometimes hard on these drop-in pitches because of where we land while bowling. I also find it hard on these squares. It is about adapting to the conditions quickly. It felt a bit off today but you have to assess the conditions quickly and try your best."
Very happy. Like you said, you touched all the aspects there. Things didn't go my way in the last few games. But it was good today and things went my way. It was a tough wicket there and the guys did really well. Happy to pull it off for the team.
We didn't know what to expect. We heard a couple of rumours that it will stay up and down. The boys started really well. They hit the straps and it allowed me to come and hit the straps and see what it is there in the wicket. It won't be the same throughout this game. So, we have to assess the conditions quickly going forward.
I find it sometimes hard on these drop-in pitches because of where we land while bowling. I also find it hard on these squares. It is about adapting to the conditions quickly. It felt a bit off today but you have to assess the conditions quickly and try your best."
This is the first time since 2012 that South Africa have won their opening fixture of a T20 World Cup.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka Captain): "Our batters tried to get 160-170. We went with our bowling strength. That's why we batted first. We wanted to put up a good score and wanted to defend.
As a team we have to do much better especially in the batting unit. We all know our roles. If our batters did well, we can finish well."
As a team we have to do much better especially in the batting unit. We all know our roles. If our batters did well, we can finish well."
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "Yeah, happy with the win. Incredible bowling performance. The batting was a little bit up and down but it was because of the wicket. But glad to finish on the winning side.
It's a tough one from the batting perspective. You try hard to take the pitch out of the equation. But you have to take the learnings from it and try to get something from the guys who have spent some time in the middle.
Obviously, fortunate that we have got the next two games here. It's important to assess the conditions and try to come out on top.
Nortje wasn't a worry at all. A fantastic day for him from the mental point of view. The boys in the dressing room will be proud of him and hopefully, it will kick off a fantastic World Cup for him."
It's a tough one from the batting perspective. You try hard to take the pitch out of the equation. But you have to take the learnings from it and try to get something from the guys who have spent some time in the middle.
Obviously, fortunate that we have got the next two games here. It's important to assess the conditions and try to come out on top.
Nortje wasn't a worry at all. A fantastic day for him from the mental point of view. The boys in the dressing room will be proud of him and hopefully, it will kick off a fantastic World Cup for him."
There were a total of 127 dot balls in this game - the most in a T20 World Cup match.
That's it from our coverage of this Group D fixture between top guns South Africa and Sri Lanka. Ninaad Dixit this side signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide and scorers/analysts Raju Khariya and Manish Bishnoi. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world.