South Africa Sri Lanka Match Played At Abu Jayed Stadium Sarjah on 30 October 2021 
South Africa 146/6 in 19.5 Overs (Temba Bavuma 46, David Miller 23*, Aiden Markram 19, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 3/20, Dushmantha Chameera 2/27)
Sri Lanka 142 All Out (Pithun Nishanka 72, Charith Ashalanka 21, Tabriz Shamsi 3/17, Anrich Nortje 2/27)
South Africa Won by 4 Wickets 
Player of the Match: Tabriz Shamsi

Young Sri Lanka placed in the group of death alongside England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh has so far given good accounts of them. 

Yesterday against Strong South Africa playing very competitive cricketer they went down fighting losing by 4 wickets on 5th ball of the last over. Batting first against a penetrative protean attack they managed scoring 142 all out. Great bowling and excellent fielding stressed South Africa to their limits. David Miller striking two sixes in the last over, South Africa Scoring 146/6 in 19.5 0vers peeped Lankans to the post. South Africa brightened their opportunity for qualifying into the semi finals. 

Nothing much was expected of the young Sri Lanka in this world cup. Yet winning three matches in three they qualified for the Super 12. In the very first match they subdued Bangladesh. Yesterday they recovered well from 5/91 to 142 all out against strong South Africa bowling attack. Pithun Nishanka batted exceedingly well scoring 72 with six fours and three sixes.  When South Africa batted Dushmantha Chameera struck two early blows and Hasranga de Silva taking hat trick almost won the match. David Miller striking back-to-back over boundaries in the very last overs snatched the match out of the grasp of the Lankans. 15 runs were scored in the last fateful over of the match. 

Earlier when Sri Lanka batted they found the going extremely difficult against probing South Africa attack.  Only Pithun Nishankha (72) batted with authority. Tabriz Shamsi (3/17) and Anrich Nortze (2/27) rattled the Lankans. Shamsi taking 32 wickets in 2021 is the now the highest wicket T20 I wicket taker in a Calendar year eclipsing 31 Wickets of Andrew Tye in 2018. 

Lankans bowled and fielded with positive intent. Their brave endeavor just failed to bring rich dividend as Miller, the Killer hunted them blasting back-to-back sixes in the last over.

BDST: 1307 HRS, OCT 31, 2021
SMS