New Delhi: South Africa dominated the match against Sri Lanka, securing a commanding victory with a 102-run victory over their opponents at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.
In a record-shattering display, South Africa left spectators astounded, putting up a strong target of 429 runs for Sri Lanka to chase.
Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera stepped on the field looking to shatter a few more records with positive intent. However, Marco Janes spoiled the party by dismissing both batters for paltry scores.
Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka brought a storm of boundaries into the stadium, igniting hopes of putting together a successful yet unprecedented chase. When things started to fall in Sri Lanka’s favour, Kagiso Rabada using all his experience claimed Kusal’s wicket for 76 off 42 balls.
On the other hand, Lungi Ngidi claimed Aslanka’s wicket trapping him with his variations. Asalana walked back to the pavilion with a score of 79.
After the departure of these two batters, skipper Dasun Shanaka’s 68 took Sri Lanka closer to the seemingly unassailable total. With spinner Keshav Maharaj sending Shanaka back to the pavilion for 68, Sri Lanka’s fate was sealed as they ended the innings with a score of 326 and tasted a bitter 102-run defeat.
Earlier in the day, Aiden Makram, Quinton de Kock and Rassie Van Der Dussen scored hundreds to take South Africa to an astonishing 428/5 in 50 overs, the highest in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Markram’s century came in just 49 balls, the fastest in the tournament’s history. After an unsteady start with skipper Bavuma losing his wicket in the second over, Quinton de Kock and Rassie Van Der Dussen brought up their hundred-run partnership in 102 balls and de Kock reached his fifty in 61 balls with four boundaries and a six.
Sri Lanks Playing 11: Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha
South Africa Playing 11: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
(With ANI Inputs)