Anrich Nortje had his career best figures of 4 for 7 as South Africa recorded comfortable six wickets win over Sri Lanka in their T – 20 World Cup fixture played at Nassau County International cricket stadium, New York yesterday.

It was low scoring game while South Africa reached the winning target of 78 in 16.2 overs to seal the victory with six wickets in hand. Nuwan Thushara made early breakthrough to pick Reza Hendrikas (4 in 2 balls) in second over while Dasun Shanaka took catch at first slip.

Dasun Shanaka took skipper Aiden Markram’s wicket in 5th over but South Africa opener Quinton de Kock who scored 20 in 27 balls with a four while Heinrich Klaasen scored unbeaten 19 in 22 balls with a four and a six paved the way to reach their target in 16.2 overs. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga took 2 for 22 while Shanka and Thushara took a wicket each but Sri Lanka’s low total of 77 was not enough to put pressure from the bowlers.

Sri Lanka have been bowled out for their lowest T20I total by a South African attack that was disciplined in line and length and varied their pace well.

South African seamer Anrich Nortje’s 4 for 7 will make the headlines but Ottneil Baartman’s wicket with his first T -20 World Cup ball and economy rate of 2.25 and leg spinner Keshav Maharaj’s two wickets in two balls cannot be underestimated.

It was the first time seeing the New York surface which is slightly inconsistent in bounce and there’s some swing on offer. Most importantly, on a big outfield, its difficult to score boundaries and Sri Lanka managed to get only two fours during first ten overs and they were restricted to 24 for 1 wicket after first power play.

Incidentally, 24 was also South Africa’s lowest Power play score, against Australia in October 2022. They just topped that here, with 27 run for the loss of two wickets. In total, South Africa and Sri Lanka scored 51 runs in their respective Powerplays, the third lowest Power play aggregate at T20 World Cups.

Earlier Sri Lanka openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were unable to go for big shots and struggling during power play while Nissanka was first to out scoring 3 in 8 balls and Ottneil Baartman struck his very first ball of the World Cup.

Kusal Mendis couldn’t get good momentum scoring 19 in 30 balls while Kamindu Mendis started with a good boundary but Nortje got his wicket when the total reached 31 for 2 after 7.5 overs. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga came to accelerate the run rate but it was in vain as Hasaranga was well stumped by Quinton de Kock off Leg spinner Keshav Maharaj and it was very disappointed dismissal from Hasaranga who was out for duck facing only 2 balls. Maharaj struck again with Sadeera Samarawickrama was first ball duck and he was clean bowled.

Experienced batting duo Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka tried to repair the innings. Mathews hit first six off Keshav Maharaj in 13th over while Shanaka also hit a six off Rabada but he was clean bowled by Rabada in 15th over and Sri Lanka were in deep trouble.

Mathews tried to settle down but no partner for him finally out for 16 in a run a ball innings hit two sixes and tried to attempt for third six and fine leg fielder Baartman took a catch to dismiss Mathews and Sri Lanka were all out for 77 with five balls to spare.

Sri Lanka managed just three fours and three sixes in 19.1 overs while South Africa bowlers dominated the game and Anrich Nortje was leading the way to pick Player of the Match award. Sri Lanka will meet Bangladesh in their next group game at Dallas on June 8.

Chief scores

Sri Lanka 77 all out in 19.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 19, Kamindu Mendis 11, Angelo Mathews 16, Kagiso Rabada 2/21, Ottneil Baartman 1/9, Keshav Maharaj 2/22, Anrich Nortje 4/7)

South Africa 80 for 4 wickets in 16.2 overs (Quinton de Kock 20, Aiden Markram 12, Tristan Stubbs13, Heinrich Klaasen 19*, Nuwan Thushara 1/18, Dasun Shanaka 1/6, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22)