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Cricket PlayersSouth Africa vs Sri Lanka Highlights T20 World Cup: Miller's last-over heroics take SA to dramatic win
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Highlights T20 World Cup 2021 Live Updates: SA vs SL Updates from Sharjah
South Africa vs Sri Lanka Highlights T20 World Cup 2021 Live Updates: In a dramatic turnaround in the final two overs, South Africa held their nerves to go past Sri Lanka by six wickets and keep their chances intact for a place in the semi-final of the 2021 T20 World Cup. After SA faced the early setbacks – losing both openers to Dushmantha Chameera in the fourth over, Temba Bavuma (46) fetched partnership alongside Aiden Markram (19) before David Miller (23 off 13 deliveries) pulled off an incredible comeback victory. After Wanindu Hasaranga's hat-trick put Sri Lanka on the brink of win, Miller, alongside Kagiso Rabada (13* off 7 balls) steered the turnaround for SA. With 16 needed to win in the final over, Miller slammed two successive sixes before Rabada ended the run-chase with a four. Earlier, South Africa bowled Sri Lanka out on 142 after opting to bowl first against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
...Read MoreCaptains speak
Temba Bavuma (South Africa): "The team is feeling much better, de Kock is in a much better state. The first 5 overs will be key for us. We are expecting the pitch to be different here in Sharjah. We are expecting it be a slow and low wicket."
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka): "We have played a couple of games, so the ball might keep low. Bowlers and batters have been exposed to this wicket before, so that might be an advantage for us. We have planned after that loss against SA, so hopefully we'll be able to execute them today. We are playing with the same team."
Playing XI for both sides
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera(w), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara
South Africa: Temba Bavuma(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Quinton de Kock returns
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has confirmed that Quinton de Kock will return to the playing XI. He replaces Heinrich Klaasen.
Toss Update
South Africa win toss, opt to bowl first against Sri Lanka in Sharjah
Pitch Report
“We saw Windies defending 143 in Sharjah yesterday. The bowlers did well and the wicket tended to lay low. It will be even slower today and bowlers should focus on bowling back-of-the-length." - Daren Sammy
Wide and full should do the trick for bowlers at the death as well.
Shamsi vs Hasaranga - A heated battle!
Both spinners have enjoyed an excellent 2021 so far. Shamsi and Hasaranga have both taken 28 wickets this year in T20Is, so there really is nothing to seperate them!
Tabraiz Shamsi: 19 Matches, 28 wickets
Wanindu Hasaranga: 17 Matches, 28 Wickets
Bavuma's form a concern?
Barring a 72 against Ireland in July earlier this year, Temba Bavuma has registered 5 single-digit scores in his last eight T20Is. The South African captain has scored 14 runs in two games in this edition.
The opener gave away his wicket cheaply on 12 after an aggressive start against Australia in the opener, and was run-out on 2 in the last game.
Quinton de Kock's return
South Africa are boosted with the arrival of Quinton de Kock, who had made himself unavailable for the game against West Indies. In the next few days ridden with controversy, De Kock finally released his statement clearing his stance on ‘taking a knee’ - an act displaying the players' united stance against racism.
The wicketkeeper-batter, in 10 innings, has scored 260 runs against Sri Lanka which include two half-centuries.
SA vs SL - Match 25
Hello and welcome to the live blog for 2021 T20 World Cup - Match 25, South Africa vs Sri Lanka from Sharjah.
South Africa are currently third with two points, while Sri Lanka, with the same number of points, are fourth. Proteas lead due to a higher Net Run Rate.
