Sri Lanka, on Monday (June 3), began their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in disastrous fashion. They faced South Africa in the first match of the tournament at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Captain Wanindu Hasaranga’s decision to bat first was completely counterproductive as his teammates struggled to do well in the bowling-friendly conditions. In the end, Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 77 runs in 19.1 overs. No Sri Lankan batsman could touch the 20-run mark during the disastrous display with the bat.
Kusal Mendis was his team’s top scorer, scoring 19 runs. The only other batsman to score more than 15 runs was former captain Angelo Mathews (16). As many as eight Sri Lankan players could not even reach the double-digit mark while four of them could not even open their account as the Islanders put up one of the worst performances of all time in the shortest format of the game.
For South Africa, Anrich Nortje was the protagonist with the ball. The 30-year-old, who had struggled with his form in this year’s IPL, returned to form and picked up 4 wickets for just 7 runs in his four overs. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj also got two wickets each.
Sri Lanka records the lowest total:
The disastrous batting display saw Sri Lanka record their lowest total in T20Is as they were bowled out for less than 80 runs for the first time in the shortest format of the game. Their previous lowest total in T20Is was 82, which they scored against India in 2016. In the T20 World Cup, their lowest total was 87, which they scored against Australia in 2010.
These are Sri Lanka’s lowest totals in T20Is:
- 77 vs South Africa, New York, 2024
- 82 against India, Vizag, 2016
- 87 against Australia, Bridgetown, 2010
- 87 against India, Cuttack, 2017
- 91 vs England, Southampton, 2021
The record for the lowest T20I total by a full-fledged team is held by defending champions England, who were bowled out by 55 runs against the West Indies in 2021.
Lowest totals by a full member team in the T20 World Cup:
- 55 England vs West India, Dubai, 2021
- 60 New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Chattogram, 2014
- 70 Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Kolkata, 2016
- 72 Bangladesh vs Australia, Dubai, 2021
- 77 Sri Lanka vs South Africa, New York, 2024