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29 March 2024

3rd T20 Sri Lanka vs South Africa: Dilshan blitz powers Sri Lanka to consolation victory

Published
By Cricket Correspondent with Agencies

Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls as Sri Lanka defeated South Africa by six wickets in the final Twenty20 game on Tuesday to retain their number one ranking in the short format.

The hosts, already down 0-2 in the series, launched a spirited chase of South Africa's challenging 163-3 to win the day-night game in Hambantota with 11 balls to spare.

South Africa won the series 2-1, making amends for the 1-4 defeat in the preceding one-dayers on the tour.

But Tuesday's victory was crucial for Sri Lanka, who would have slipped to number three in the T20 rankings behind Pakistan and South Africa had they been whitewashed 3-0.

Dilshan brought up the thrilling win off the first ball of the 19th over, lofting Morne Morkel for his second six. He also hit nine boundaries.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene hit a quick-fire 33 in an opening stand of 67 off 35 balls with Dilshan to help Sri Lanka make a rollicking start.

The hosts were 123-4 in the 16th over when Thisara Perera (25 not out) put on a match-winning stand of 41 with Dilshan for the fifth wicket.

With 27 runs needed off the final 18 balls, the big-hitting Perera took 21 runs from the 18th over bowled by Wayne Parnell, including three fours and a six, to ease the pressure.

The hosts rested their two main players, batsman Kumar Sangakkara and fast bowler Lasith Malinga, and recalled Dilshan and Suranga Lakmal.

Earlier, Skipper Faf du Plessis hit 85 off 65 balls and JP Duminy remained unbeaten on a 34-ball 51 as South Africa too put on a thrilling exhibition of power hitting.

Du Plessis, who won the toss for the third time in a row and elected to bat, smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes during a third-wicket stand of 112 with JP Duminy.

Du Plessis and Duminy put on their century stand after opener Henry Davids had been dismissed off the first ball of the match, leg-before to seamer Nuwan Kulasekara.

Duminy hit his 100th six in Twenty20 internationals when he lofted Kulasekara over the mid-wicket fence in the 17th over.

Du Plessis was dismissed in the final over, bowled by Lakmal.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

Sri Lanka bounced back to win the third Twenty20 international against South Africa by six wickets in Hambantota on Tuesday night to retain their top ranking despite losing the series 2-1.

Chasing an imposing target of 164, the hosts were powered by an unbeaten half century from Tillakaratne Dilshan (74) and a blazing knock of 25 off just 11 balls from Thisara Perera who smashed three boundaries and a six in the 18th over from Parnell.

Sri Lanka got off to a flying start with openers Mahela Jayawardene (33) and Dilshan posting 67 in 5.5 overs before being separated.

Mahela cracked seven boundaries in his 16-ball 33.

South Africa clawed by tightening the screws in the middle over and striking at regular intervals to reduce Sri Lanka to 123-4 in the 16th over.

Dilshan held the innings together in partnership with Thisara and smashed the winning hit a six off Morkel.

Dilshan's unbeaten knock of 74 off 51 balls was studded with nine boundaries and two sixes.

Wiese claimed two for 24 and leg spinner Imran Tahir one for 20 while Tsotsobe went for 49 in his four overs and was responsible for getting Sri Lanka off the hook with some sloppy fielding.

Dilshan sweeps Morkel for a six over backward square leg as Sri Lanka win the third T20 international against South Africa in style by six wickets and 11 balls to spare.

Parnell goes for 21 runs in the 18th over as Sri Lanka now need six off 12 balls. SL 158-4 in 18 overs.

Thisara has virtually sealed victory for Sri Lanka with four consecutive boundaries off Parnell including a six in the 18th over.

Thisara blasts a straight six off Parnell to close the gap.

Thisara clears the infield on the offside off Parnell for a boundary.

Sri Lanka are 136-4 in 17 overs needing 27 off 18 balls with Parnell into the attack.

Dilshan feasts on slow full toss from Morkel to the midwicket fence.

Thisara is in the middle with Dilshan as Sri Lanka need 38 off 24 balls with Morkel back into the attack. SL 126-4 in 16 overs.

Mathews gets cracks Wiese for a boundary to point and is bowled next ball dragging onto his stumps. SL 123-4.

Angelo Mathews b Wiese 14 (10b 2x4 0x6)

Mathews pulls a short delivery from Tsotsobe behind square leg for a boundary. SL 114-3 in 14 overs.

Dilshan keeps the momentum going with a reverse scoop to the fence off Tsotsobe.

Chandimal does not last long being stumped off Tahir. SL 100-3.

Dinesh Chandimal st Quinton de Kock b Tahir 14 (18b 1x4 0x6)

Sri Lanka get a lucky break as Tsotsobe drops a regulation catch off Chandimal. SL 98-2 in 12 overs.

Chandimal gets a boundary with an edge to third man.

Dilshan completes his seventh T20 half century with a single.

Dilshan pulls Tahir through midwicket for a boundary. SL 87-2 in 9 overs.

Dilshan paddles Wiese to the fine leg fence thanks to some sloppy fielding. SL 78-2 in 8 overs.

Kusal fails again holing out the first ball from Wiese. SL 71-2.

Kusal Perera c Parnell b Wiese 1 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Terrific start by Sri Lanka with the openers posting 67 iin 6 overs before Mahela is out. Kusal Perera has joined Dilshan. SL 67-1 in 6 overs.

Mahela cracks a boundary to point off Parnell but attempting a similar shot is out next ball caught by De Villiers at extra cover. SL 67-1.

Mahela Jayawardene c de Villiers b Parnell 33 (16b 7x4 0x6)

Mahela also gets a boundary with an upper cut to third man. SL 62-0 in 5 overs.

Dilshan smacks Tsotsobe for consecutive boundaries through midwicket as the Sri Lanka 50 comes quickly.

Mahela goes inside out for a boundary to extra cover off Parnell. SL 47-0 in 4 overs.

Mahela greets Parnell with a judicious cover drive to the fence.

Dilshan cracks Tsotsobe through the covers. SL 36-0 in 3 overs.

Mahela also gets into the act flicking the first ball from Morkel to the midwicket fence, cracking the next to point and flicking to fine leg for boundaries off consecutive balls. SL 28-0 in 2 overs.

Dilshan clobbers Tsotsobe for a six over midwicket for a six and scoops the next two balls behind the keeper for boundaries. SL 14-0 in 1 over.

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS

Skipper Faf du Plessis hit 85 off 65 balls as South Africa piled up a commanding 163-3 in the final Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Tuesday.

Du Plessis, who won the toss for the third time in a row and elected to bat, smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes during a third-wicket stand of 112 with JP Duminy.

Left-handed Duminy remained unbeaten on a 34-ball 51 that contained three fours and two sixes as South Africa put on a thrilling exhibition of power hitting in the day-night match.

The Proteas, already enjoying an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, will look for a clean sweep to make amends for the 1-4 defeat in the preceding one-day internationals.

The hosts rested their two main players, batsman Kumar Sangakkara and fast bowler Lasith Malinga, and recalled Tillakaratne Dilshan and Suranga Lakmal.

Du Plessis and Duminy put on their century stand after opener Henry Davids had been dismissed off the first ball of the match, leg-before to seamer Nuwan Kulasekara.

Quinton de Kock helped his captain carry the total to 45-1 in the eighth over, before he was leg-before off Ajantha Mendis' second delivery.

Duminy hit his 100th six in Twenty20 internationals when he lofted Kulasekara over the mid-wicket fence in the 17th over.

Du Plessis was dismissed in the final over, bowled by Lakmal.

Duminy smashes a full toss off Lakmal to midwicket fence to complete his half century off just 33 balls.

Sri Lanka finally get a breakthrough as Lakmal yorks Du Plessis to end the record stand of 112 for the third wicket with Duminy. SA 157-3.

Faf du Plessis b Lakmal 85 (65b 10x4 3x6)

Du Plessis smashes consecutive boundaries off Kulasekera aided by some sloppy fielding. SA 155-2 in 19 overs,

Du Plessis slams a boundary via misfield to bring up the 100 partnership for the third wicket with Duminy in 62 balls. SA 145-2 in 18 overs.

Duminy smashes another massive six off Kulasekera over midwicket. SA 133-2 in 17 overs.

Duminy slams Lakmal for a six over midwicket as South Africa are turning it on. SA 112-2 in 15 overs.

Duminy gets another boundary off Mendis as Sri Lanka seem ragged on the field. SA 100-2 in 13 overs.

The 50 partnership between Du Plessis and Duminy for the third wicket comes off just 32 balls.

Thirimanne drops a sitter on the deep off the rampaging Du Plessis.

Du Plessis completes his third T20 half century off just 37 balls and then smashes his third six. SA 92-2 in 12 overs.

Du Plessis seems to be dealing in boundaries thumping Dilshan over his to the fence.

Du Plessis smashes Mendis over his head for another boundary. SA 79-2 in 11 overs.

Duminy gets his first boundary stroking Dilshan through midwicket.

Dilshan into the attack now as Sri Lanka try to stem the flow of runs.

Mathews goes for 15 in his first over with Du Plessis clobbering him for a second six straight over his head. SA 64-2 in 9 overs.

Du Plessis greets Mathews by hoisting him for a six over midwicket.

Faf du Plessis survives a confident shout for a leg before being rapped on his back attempting a sweep. SA 49-2 in 8 overs.

Ajanta Mendis strikes with his second delivery trapping de Kock leg before. SA 45-2.

Quinton de Kock lbw b Mendis 16 (19b 3x4 0x6)

Du Plessis bounces back to crack consecutive boundaries off Thisara. SA 45-1 in 7 overs.

Faf du Plessis is in some discomfort holding up play after being hit in the box by Thishara Perera.

De Kock slams consecutive boundaries of Lakmal through mid off and straight down the ground. SA 30-1 in 5 overs.

Du Plessis steps out and caresses Senanayake through mid off for a boundary. SA 20-1 in 4 overs.

Spin introduced with Senanayake coming into the attack.

Quinton breaks the shackles by cracking Kulasekera to the third man fence. SA 15-1 in 3 overs.

Lakmal into the attack from the other end.

Faf du Plessis is off the mark with a streaky boundary between the keeper and slip off Kulasekera.

Kulasekera has struck with his first delivery trapping Henry Davids leg before as he shuffled across being beaten by the inswinger. SA 0-1.

Henry Davids lbw b Kulasekara 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

South Africa are unchanged. Sri Lanka have left out Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga who is injured.

They have been replaced by Dilshan and Suranga Lakmal who gets his first game.

PLAYING XI

Sri Lanka - Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Kusal Perera, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekera and Ajantha Mendis

South Africa - Quinton de Kock, Henry Davids, Faf du Plessis (captain), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, David Wiese, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has won the toss for the third time in succession and has no hesitation in batting first.

There is plenty at stake for Sri Lanka when they take on South Africa in the final Twenty20 international of their three-match series against South Africa in Hambantota on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka's top rank in the T20 format will be on the line as they seek to avert an embarassing whitewash by the Proteas who lead the series 2-0.

A third consecutive loss would see the home team slip to third in the ICC T20 rankings, behind Pakistan and India.

Sri Lanka would most probably go into the game with some changes as skipper Chandimal mentioned in the post match conference, with prolific run getter Kumar Sangakkara set to be given a break.

South Africa won the first match in Colombo by 12 runs and the second in Hambantota on Sunday by 22 runs.