| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
Scorer: Venkat Raghav | Commentator: @saurabh_42
10.39pm: That brings us to the end of our coverage for this first T20I. We'll back in a couple of days for the second. Till then, this is Saurabh Somani bidding goodbye on behalf of Vishal, Raghav and the team.
Keshav Maharaj: 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: There were quite a few challenges. I must admit we should maximise the powerplay. It's been a bit of a concern in the last few series. We should adjust to conditions and win games. We are trying to play the best team in this series to win the series, but I would like to give more chances to players also.
Aiden Markram is the Man of the Match: It's something new (batting in the middle order). But I suppose at the end of the day just getting some game-time is good. It's been good, challenging. Obviously very different from South African conditions. Lots of experience in the back room makes it easier. In conditions like these, you're going to bowl spin as much as you an. If there's a need for me to bowl, I'd be ready for that opportunity. I've been putting in some work. But looking at how the guys bowled today, I think it's best I just keep to the field. (World T20 squad) The guys who are selected there's a bit of relief and obviously the guys not selected there's a bit of hurt.
Presentations coming up.
Shazeen: "Well not the perfect start to my 20th birthday but I am happy regardless. It's a bitter sweet start to my bday. Bitter part Sri Lanka fought hard but are on the way to a defeat, sweet part is that Chandimal Aiya has gotten some runs. " -- happy birthday Shazeen.
Simbu: "SA's dominance is highlighted by Shamsi only bowling 2 overs. " -- indeed. They didn't even need him to bowl his full quota.
OR: "I cant believe its 2021 and people are still talking about anchors in a T20" -- I feel you OR.
10.25pm: That's that, a 28-run victory for South Africa. Markram and Miller provided the ballast to push them to a challenging total, and the bowlers then kept a tight leash on Sri Lanka, who never got going in the chase. Keshav Maharaj won the toss, took a wicket first ball and wins the match on his T20I debut. He's also got the best bowling figures for his side with no bowler taking more than 1 wicket. Maharaj took 1 for 19 in four overs.
Jayal: "Chandimal's job is to anchor the innings, and he has done that perfectly. Avishka, Bhanuka, Shanaka and all the other Kas are expected to go ballistic around himThough I wonder if we have too many anchors, with DDS and Asalanka also slow off the blocks" --- I firmly believe a good T20 side does not need an anchor. If you do anchor, do it at 130 s/r minimum and then amp it up.
42 needed off the last over, so this is all but done.
Even five dropped catches from South Africa could not take the hosts over the line
After toppling the visitors with spin in ODIs, Shanaka's men will look for more of the same in friendly conditions
