New York. Fast bowler Anrich Norkia gave a career best performance by taking four wickets for seven runs, with the help of which South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for 77 runs in their first match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. India has to play three out of four league matches of Group A on this ground. Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first after winning the toss proved to be completely wrong and they were all out on their lowest score in T20 cricket. With the run out of Nuwan Tushara, the Sri Lankan innings ended in 19.1 overs.
Norkia gave his best performance by leading the all-round fast attack. Earlier, his best performance was four wickets for ten runs. Kagiso Rabada took two wickets for 21 runs while spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets for 22 runs.
The drop-in pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium proved to be a nightmare for the Sri Lankan batsmen, who struggled on the slow outfield.
On the other hand, this wicket was favorable for South African bowlers. On his very first ball, Otniel Bartman took a wicket and sent Pathum Nissanka (3) to the pavilion. Norkia dismissed Kusal Mendis in his first over. Within eight overs, Sri Lanka’s score was 31 runs for two wickets. Maharaj took wickets on two consecutive balls and dismissed Sri Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Angelo Mathews scored 16 runs in 16 balls and fell prey to Norkia.