Sri Lanka made a mess of their chances to beat South Africa in their first match against South Africa in ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Sri Lankan openers got off to a flier but the batting collapse ensured South Africa beat them by 96 runs. Kusal Perera scored and unbeaten 44 but ran out of partners as 5 wickets fell in a matter of 46 runs. It was Tahir who clinched the game from Sri Lanka in the second innings as he got the wicket of Upul Tharanga who was going well after scoring his half-century. Tahir took 4 wickets and put a halt on Sri Lanka’s scoring rate as they surrendered quite easily in the end.
Niroshan Dickwella and Tharanga stunned South African bowlers in the powerplay overs as they attacked them upfront. They put on a partnership of 69 for the first wicket from 50 balls. But they lost the plot soon after Tharanga’s wicket as Tahir spun the web around Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Every time I put this jersey on, I feel really honoured. – Man of the Match, Imran Tahir #ProteaFire #CT17 pic.twitter.com/Y99fucUgNq
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 3, 2017
Earlier it was Hashim Amla who took the game away from as he scored his century (103 from 115 balls) rescuing South Africa after a slow start as Quinton de Kock fell early. Faf Du Plessis made the most of the dropped catch from Malinga as he went on to score 74 and stitching a match-winning partnership with Amla. The South Africa opener also became the fastest batsman to reach 25 ODI centuries.
The moment @amlahash brought up his 25th ODI century! #SLvSA #CT17 pic.twitter.com/McI16u2cl5
— ICC (@ICC) June 3, 2017
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 203 all out in 41.3 overs (Upul Tharanga 57, Kusal Perera 44; Imran Tahir 4 for 27, Chris Morris 2 for 32) lost to South Africa 299 for 6 (Hashim Amla 103, Faf Du Plessis 75; Nuwan Pradeep 2 for 54, Suranga Lakmal 1 for 51) by 96 runs.
Man of the match: Imran Tahir
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