South Africa will be happy to get those two points even though they had to struggle to get to the target on a sluggish wicket but they did with six wickets in hand and 22 balls to spare.
Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasaranga has struck twice now as the other set batter Tristan Stubbs goes now, who played in the air and Charitrh Asalanka at short cover grabbed a stunner.
It held up in the surface just a bit and Quinton de Kock handed a simple catch straight back to the bowler, Wanindu Hasaranga. South Africa three down now.
Aiden Markram got a beauty from Dasun Shanaka and the South African captain was squared up giving an easy catch to the slip fielder, Kamindu Mendis, who took it low but was comfortable clean. South Africa are two down now.
Nuwan Thushara started waywardly but has gotten an early wicket which Sri Lanka were looking for. Reeza Hendricks threw his hands out a delivery outside the off-stump and handed a simple catch to the stumps.
Sri Lanka have been shot out for their lowest-ever score in T20Is, 77, as South Africa have been all over them like a rash.
Sri Lanka are nine down as Kagiso Rabada has struck again as Matheesha Pathirana chipped it straight to Aiden Markram at mid-on in another tame dismissal as South Africa are not letting them breathe easy even one bit.
Anrich Nortje is breathing fire. Another short delivery and Angelo Mathews has hit straight into the hands of the deep fine-leg fielder as Nortje gets his fourth and Sri Lanka are eight down for 70.
After a couple of big hits, one each from Mathews and Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka have lost their 7th wicket as Kagiso Rabada gets through Shanaka's gate. Even 100 looks tough now.
Now, Anrich Nortje has gotten his third wicket. Sri Lanka are just not able to get going whether against spin or pace. Charith Asalanka has hit straight to the deep square leg fielder off a half-volley that was there to be hit.
Anrich Nortje has ended Kusal Mendis' struggle as the batter took on short delivery but couldn't time it and Sri Lanka have lost half their side for just 50.
South Africa are all over Sri Lanka as the latter's decision to bat first is proving to be really questionable. After Nortje's strike, Keshav Maharaj has sent back Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasarnanga for a duck. It didn't take him long to get another one as he cleaned up Sadeera Samarawickrama for a golden duck with an arm delivery and Sri Lanka are four down for not much on the board.
Anrich Nortje was given the job with the ball after the powerplay and the quick, who has been struggling for form lately, got one full after shorter deliveries and Kamindu Mendis hit straight to backward square leg fielder in the deep.
Sri Lankan batters are failing to read the pace of the wicket as they lost a crucial wicket and haven't gotten many runs on the board after the powerplay.
Ottniel Baartman on T20 World Cup debut has struck in his very first over as Pathum Nissanka wanted to break the shackles but the ball got big on him and Heinrich Klaasen at deep third took a simple catch and South Africa have gotten the big wicket early.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have come out to bat for Sri Lanka and will be hoping for a good start given the nature of the surface which will allow the bowlers to come into the game. Hence, the powerplay will be key.
Playing XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman
Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga(c), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
Sri Lankan skipper Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and opted to bat first saying that it looked like a good wicket and preferred runs on the board. However, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram wanted to bowl and both teams got what they wanted.
It's Pitch No 1 one for the Sri Lanka vs South Africa clash, which suggests around 63 metre boundary on one side and 73 on the other side of the square and straight boundary is about 74 metres which means it is big ground. It played a bit slow in the warm-up game between India and Bangladesh and is set to be of similar nature on Monday as well. Sri Lanka expect it to be slow and hence have packed their side with two frontline spinners while South Africa have backed their strength of pace bowlers with skipper Aiden Markram partnering Keshav Maharaj in the spin department.
That middle order of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs looks scary proposition and with the bowling attack they have, South Africa have everything to go all the way but the tag of choking in the crunch moments will be attached to them wherever they go and they will aim to shed that, this time around.
The first big clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is upon us as Sri Lanka take on South Africa in a mouth-watering clash at the Nassau County Stadium in New York on Monday, June 3. It's bright sunny New York and the teams will be hoping for a good game. Welcome to our live coverage of the SL vs SA encounter.
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