World T20: Perera, Mathews shine as Lanka beat SA by 5 runs
The two-time ICC World Twenty20 finalists, Sri Lanka, began their ICC World T20 campaign with a thrilling five-run win over explosive South Africa in their Group 1 match of the Super 10 stage at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong on Saturday.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal's decision to bat first almost backfired after Sri Lanka lost three of their star batsmen - Tillakaratne Dilshan(0), Mahela Jayawardene(9) and Kumar Sangakkara(14) - cheaply against the Proteas. Dale Steyn, who recovered from his injury just in time to make the playing eleven, struck early to scalp the dangerous Dilshan for a golden duck. It was Dilshan's eighth duck, placing him second in the list of most ducks in T20 internationals behind Luke Wright's nine. Despite losing their star batsmen, Sri Lanka managed to post 165 runs at the loss of seven wickets following Kusal Perera's quickfire 61 off 40 balls while Angelo Mathews provided the late flourish with his knock of 43 runs off 32 balls.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa with his spell of 3/26 in four overs alongside Morne Morkel's economical 2/31.
In reply to the Lankan innings, South Africa got off to a good start with both Quinton de Kock(25) and Hashim Amla(23) adding crucial runs. But, that was until Lasith Malinga wreaked havoc on the Proteas' openers and scalped De Kock to put a lid on the run-rate. JP Duminy(39) and AB de Villiers(24) added an all important partnership to bring South Africa back in the game.
And yet again, Sri Lanka managed to get the breakthrough as Angelo Mathews(1/21) scalped De Villiers to bring another twist in the game. The introduction of spin worked wonders for the Lankans as Sachithra Senanayake(2/22) - who had scalped Hashim Amla earlier - got rid of dangerous JP Duminy(39) to rattle the South African chase. David Miller(19) was the baton bearer for South Africa as he kept Proteas in the hunt only to miss out by five runs at the end against the likes of Lasith Malinga(1/29).
AB de Villiers, the stand-in skipper for Proteas following the hamstring strain of Faf du Plessis, would surely rue the chances of restricting the Lankans at a less competitive total. South Africa will need to win against New Zealand in their next match to stay afloat in the tournament while Sri Lanka - with an all important win today - will lock horns with the explosive Netherlands team on Monday.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 1657/ after 20 overs(Kusal Perera 61, Angelo Mathews 43; Imran Tahir 3/26, Morne Morkel 2/31)
South Africa: 160/8 after 20 overs(JP Duminy 39, Quinto de Kock 25; Sachithra Senanayake 2/22, Lasith Malinga 1/29)
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal's decision to bat first almost backfired after Sri Lanka lost three of their star batsmen - Tillakaratne Dilshan(0), Mahela Jayawardene(9) and Kumar Sangakkara(14) - cheaply against the Proteas. Dale Steyn, who recovered from his injury just in time to make the playing eleven, struck early to scalp the dangerous Dilshan for a golden duck. It was Dilshan's eighth duck, placing him second in the list of most ducks in T20 internationals behind Luke Wright's nine. Despite losing their star batsmen, Sri Lanka managed to post 165 runs at the loss of seven wickets following Kusal Perera's quickfire 61 off 40 balls while Angelo Mathews provided the late flourish with his knock of 43 runs off 32 balls.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa with his spell of 3/26 in four overs alongside Morne Morkel's economical 2/31.
In reply to the Lankan innings, South Africa got off to a good start with both Quinton de Kock(25) and Hashim Amla(23) adding crucial runs. But, that was until Lasith Malinga wreaked havoc on the Proteas' openers and scalped De Kock to put a lid on the run-rate. JP Duminy(39) and AB de Villiers(24) added an all important partnership to bring South Africa back in the game.
And yet again, Sri Lanka managed to get the breakthrough as Angelo Mathews(1/21) scalped De Villiers to bring another twist in the game. The introduction of spin worked wonders for the Lankans as Sachithra Senanayake(2/22) - who had scalped Hashim Amla earlier - got rid of dangerous JP Duminy(39) to rattle the South African chase. David Miller(19) was the baton bearer for South Africa as he kept Proteas in the hunt only to miss out by five runs at the end against the likes of Lasith Malinga(1/29).
AB de Villiers, the stand-in skipper for Proteas following the hamstring strain of Faf du Plessis, would surely rue the chances of restricting the Lankans at a less competitive total. South Africa will need to win against New Zealand in their next match to stay afloat in the tournament while Sri Lanka - with an all important win today - will lock horns with the explosive Netherlands team on Monday.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 1657/ after 20 overs(Kusal Perera 61, Angelo Mathews 43; Imran Tahir 3/26, Morne Morkel 2/31)
South Africa: 160/8 after 20 overs(JP Duminy 39, Quinto de Kock 25; Sachithra Senanayake 2/22, Lasith Malinga 1/29)
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