Match Details

SA vs SL 1st Match, RSA vs SL 2021

135-620.0

South Africa won by 28 runs

20.0163-5

Match info

Live

Scorecard

Session	Open	PASS
6 Over	45	34
10 Over	62	57

Session	Open	PASS
6 Over	49	47
10 Over	77	73
15 Over	110	107
20 Over	157	163

Commentary

That's it from the commentary box. Till the next time, it adieous from me, Arya Sekhar Chakraborty and my fellow commentators Arjun Bhalla and Anurag Singh (first innings only).

Arya: Now coming back to the match, Wanindu Hasaranga was sent up the order to play a cameo. However he couldn't quite get going and was dismissed pretty cheaply. Dhananjaya de Silva too had to bite the dust as the Lankas started starting down the barrel. Eventually they could only muster 135/6 ib 20 overs. Earlier in the day it was a sensational knock from Aiden Markram and a late blitz from David Miller which helped them get past the 160 mark. The last two overs was quite magnificent from Chameera but still couldn't contain them under 160. Eventually it proved to be a tall task and Lankans fell short by 28 runs.

Keshav Maharaj-, South Africa skipper- I'm very happy, brilliant team performance all round. Everyone stuck their hands up when they needed to and made my life easier. I've always wanted to play T20 cricket for South Africa and I've got my debut at 31, but I feel 21. I'm just trying to do my bit and hopefully get a place in the T20 starting line-up (for the World Cup).

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain- Actuallay there was quite a few challenges. We didn't maximise the powerplay. It has been a bit of a concern in the last few series. We have to improve on that. It will be a bit factor but we have to adjust to the conditions and win more games.

Not actually settled with the team. Trying to go with the best team in the series. Trying to give more chances to player to see what they can offer to the team.

Aiden Markram is the Man of the Match- Yes it is not something new. End of the day its all about getting game time. New challenge to play in Sri Lanka. Lot of learning and experience to take from the series. Yeah most likely I have to bowl in these conditions.

Bowl as much spin as possible in these conditions. If an opportunity comes I should be ready with my bowling. I think nartually its a bit of a relief for the guys who have made the team. Tough on a few guys who have been left out. Its a world cup journey we are in and the group that is selected we have put in a lot of hard work to ensure thinks go right in the mega event.

Time for the Post-match presentation ceremony.

Arya: Chasing the target of 164, Sri Lanka got off to a steady start with Dinesh Chandimal and Avishka Fernando starting proceedings. However they failed to find the gap in the powerplay. Chandimal in particular struggled in the first 6 overs and even Fernando couldn't quite off to a start that he and the team would have wanted. It was in the penultimate delivery of the powerplay that brought about the downfall of Avishka Fernando. Bhanuka Rajapaksa went first ball and all of a sudden, the South African spinners tightened the screws around the Lankan batters.

Arya: A comprehensive all-round performance from the Proteas as they draw first blood and take the opening T20I by 28 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was a magnificent bowling effort by the South African pacers and spinners. Keshav Maharaj who was making his T20I debut performed admirably and just conceded 19 runs in his 4 overs spell also bagging a crucial wicket. For Sir Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal stayed there till the end but kept losing wickets at the other end and it proved to be a mountain to steep to climb.

OVER 20

Sri Lanka

135/6

Dinesh Chandimal

66(54)

Chamika Karunaratne

22(14)

Kagiso Rabada

0-21(3.0)

19.6 K Rabada to C Karunaratne

1 That's that then. South Africa draw first blood and take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series. Gets a single down long-off as the match comes to an end.

19.5 K Rabada to D Chandimal

1 Shortish length from Rabada. Chandimal goes for the pull and ends up getting a top edge over the keeper's head and falls in no man's land. Single taken.

19.4 K Rabada to C Karunaratne

1 Length delivery on the stumps and Karunaratne plays it away down the cow corner for a single.

19.3 K Rabada to C Karunaratne

4 That's of the outside edge of Karunaratne's blade and it runs away down the deep third man region for a boundary. Fuller length outside off, Karunaratne tries to go downtown. Gets an outside edge wide of the keeper and the deep third man fielder is too wide.

19.2 K Rabada to C Karunaratne

0 Experience coming into foray from Rabada. Bangs it on the surface, change of pace and Karunaratne is way too early into the attempted pull.

Arjun: A might blow into the stands. Was that one from Hardik Pandya's gifted willow?

19.1 K Rabada to C Karunaratne

6 Full toss from Rabada and that is clobbered over the ground. It was the big side of the boundary. A huge blow from Karunaratne. A juicy full toss and Karunartne makes full use of Rabada's pace and whips it from his presence and the ball goes sailing over the deep square leg fence. What a pick up shot. Disdainful from Karunaratne. Showing how far he can hit that white ball. Rabada is one of the best fast bowlers in the world mind you/

OVER 19

Sri Lanka

122/6

Dinesh Chandimal

65(53)

Chamika Karunaratne

10(9)

Anrich Nortje

1-29(4.0)

18.6 A Nortje to D Chandimal

0 Another dot ball and this time a fast wide yorker. Chandimal digs that out but only as far as the point fielder.

18.5 A Nortje to D Chandimal

0 Another slower length delivery a tad outside off and again the pace does him here. Chandimal only manages to hit that back to the bowler from the inside half of the bat.

18.4 A Nortje to C Karunaratne

1 Low full toss outside off and Karunaratne flays it away down deep cover-point and only manages a single.

SA vs SL 1st Match, RSA vs SL 2021

Player of the Match

Commentary