The Sri Lanka national cricket team made an unwanted record to its name in the fourth match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa. The match between the two teams took place at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York.
Sri Lanka posted their lowest total in T20Is after the first 10 overs. They managed only 40 runs at the halfway point and also lost 5 wickets in the match against South Africa at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York.
Sri Lanka surpassed their record of 42/2 against India in Colombo in 2021. They also recorded 43/7 against Australia in Cape Town in 2007. Their fourth lowest total after the first 10 overs in T20Is was also against India, as they achieved 43./4 in Dharamsala in 2022.
Here are the lowest totals for Sri Lanka after the first 10 overs in T20Is
40/5 vs SA New York 2024*
42/2 vs Ind Colombo RPS 2021
43/7 vs Aus Cape Town 2007
43/4 vs Ind Dharamshala 2022
In what has been a difficult pitch to bat, the Sri Lankan batsmen looked clueless against the South African pacers. The pitch offering uneven bounce and help to both fast bowlers and spinners made for terrible batting for Sri Lanka.
Anrich Nortje wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan batting line-up as he picked up 4 wickets in 4 overs he bowled and gave away just 7 runs. This was the best figure for a South African pacer in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Apart from Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj were among the wickets and picked two wickets. Debutant Ottneil Baartman also picked a wicket as South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka by just 77 runs. Kusal Mendis with his 19-run knock was Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer.
South Africa pursues the target with 6 wickets to start the 2024 T20 World Cup on a high
Chasing the target, South Africa also came under pressure as they lost the first wickets. But since the target was less, their batsmen chipped in with valuable contributions and ensured that they start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on a high.
Quinton de Kock scored 20 runs while opening the batting. He lost his partner Reeza Hendricks (4) early. After that captain, Aiden Markram (12) and Tristan Stubbs (13) made vital contributions but could not finish the game for their team as they perished at crucial moments in the game.
In the end, it was wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen (19*), who held his nerve and made sure to take his team home to the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York. He landed some good hits. David Miller (6*) supported him well as South Africa won the game by 6 wickets and also chased down the target within 17 overs to start the tournament on a high and also increase his NRR.