By Akhila Seneviratne
Dinesh Chandimal’s fighting knock of 66 runs was not enough as Sri Lanka went onto lose their first T20 against South Africa by 28 runs. South Africa after winning the toss elected to bat first and gave a target of 164 runs to chase.
The South African openers put up a 73 run partnership between them. Quinton De Kock was the first to go down as he tried to slog Wanidu Hasaranga and was caught near the boundary when he was on 36. Hasaranga got his second wicket as Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for 32.
Debutant Maheesh Theekshana got his maiden wicket by dismissing Heinrich Klaasen for just 2 runs and South Africa were 87 for 3. The partnership between Aiden Markram and David Miller put South Africa back on track as they put 55 runs between them before the former was dismissed at 48 by Dasun Shanaka.
David Miller tried his best to put South Africa in a commanding position and despite being dismissed for 26 in the last over, South Africa finished with a score of 163 for the loss of 5 wickets. Despite being very disciplined with just 3 extras, the Sri Lankan fielding created too many singles to run at and the bowling effort was exhausted by the halfway point.
Sri Lanka did not get the best of starts as they were struggling to score in the power play and Avishska Fernando was the first to go for just 11 runs. Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored another duck and was immediately sent back to the pavilion.
With the scores reading 34 for 2 and Charith Asalanka struggling to face the left arm spinners, Dinesh Chandimal who made an international comeback took matters into his own hands and took the attack onto the South Africans. With Asalanka out for a 19 ball 6 and Dasun Shanaka miscuing a straight delivery that crashed into his stumps when he was 16, Chandimal was running out of partners and had to do the scoring.
Dinesh Chandimal’s Innings of 66 not out comprised of two 6s and five boundaries. He survived till the end of the Sri Lankan Innings as an opening batsman but lacked support from the other batsmen. Hasaranga and Dhananjaya De Silva were dismissed in the second balls they faced an in the end, it was Chamika Karunaratne who was left to salvage some pride for the home team.
The Lions went down fighting but with a World Cup coming round the corner, this raises questions especially after winning the One Day series and not being able to continue their success in the shorter format. They will meet again on Sunday at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
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