Sri Lanka had a night to forget in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, collapsing to a record low of 77 runs against South Africa. The game, held on Monday, June 3, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, saw the Sri Lankan batters fail to perform under pressure. South Africa dominated from the outset in this Group D encounter, capitalizing on every opportunity and making it a game to remember for their bowlers, particularly Anrich Nortje, who put on a thrilling display.
Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan skipper, won the toss and elected to bat, a decision influenced by the pitch conditions that had been favorable in the warm-up match between India and Bangladesh held at the same venue. Unfortunately, the plan did not pan out as expected. The Sri Lankan innings took a rapid downward spiral as the South African bowlers exploited the conditions effectively.
The South African bowlers were on point from the very first ball. Ottneil Baartman, making his T20 World Cup debut, set the tone by dismissing Pathum Nissanka with his very first delivery. His disciplined bowling provided a perfect backdrop for what was to become a memorably ruthless performance by his team.
However, it was Anrich Nortje who stole the spotlight. Returning from an injury that had hampered his recent form, including a disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) season and costly outings against the West Indies, Nortje transformed these setbacks into a comeback performance for the ages. He utilized variations in lengths masterfully, consistently troubling the Sri Lankan batsmen with short deliveries and also striking with full-length balls.
What’s more, Nortje’s 4/7 from his four overs became the best bowling figures by a South African in any T20 World Cup, surpassing his own previous best of 4/10 set in the last T20 World Cup held in Australia. His performance was pivotal in reducing Sri Lanka to their lowest T20 International score. Sri Lanka’s innings concluded at a dismal 77 all out, lower than their previous worst of 82 against India in 2016 and 87 against Australia during the T20 World Cup in Barbados 14 years ago.
This historic low also marked the third instance in which Sri Lanka failed to reach 90 runs in a T20I match, capping off a regrettable start to their T20 World Cup campaign. The effort by South Africa, orchestrated by Nortje’s heroics, left Sri Lanka reeling and introspective about what went wrong.
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The following are Sri Lanka’s ignominious records in T20Is:
1. 77 vs South Africa (New York, 2024)
2. 82 vs India (Visakhapatnam, 2016)
3. 87 vs Australia (Barbados, 2010)
4. 87 vs India (Cuttack, 2017)
5. 91 vs England (Southampton, 2021)
As the aftermath of the match unfolded, the South African team was elated, carrying a great deal of momentum and confidence forward into the rest of the tournament. On the other hand, the Sri Lankan squad needs to regroup urgently and address the issues that led to this comprehensive defeat.
Reactions have been pouring in from cricket analysts and former players, who believe that Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first was inherently risky given the overcast conditions that seemed favorable for bowling. Moreover, questions are being raised about their preparation and psychological readiness for the high-pressure scenarios offered by a World Cup stage.
This match not only fortified South Africa’s position in Group D but also sent ripples through the tournament, emphasizing the importance of bowlers in winning T20 matches. Nortje’s exceptional spell has become a benchmark, inspiring both aspiring and seasoned bowlers to focus on mastering the nuances of pace and length variation.
The broader implication for Sri Lanka is clear—they must revisit their strategies, improve their adaptability to different conditions, and, crucially, solidify their batting lineup to withstand world-class bowling attacks. Failing to do so could mean further struggles in this highly competitive tournament.
As the T20 World Cup progresses, it remains to be seen how Sri Lanka will respond to this setback. Cricket lovers around the world are watching closely, as this group stage has already provided a spectacle of both triumph and tribulation. With the next matches on the horizon, fans and pundits alike wait to see how this drama will unfold.
