NEW DELHI : Already out of the semi-final race, both South Africa and Sri Lanka will strive to end their ICC World Twenty20 campaign on a winning note when they clash against each other in an inconsequential Super 10 Group 1 clash, here tomorrow.
It was England that knocked both the teams out of the tourament with their 10-run victory over Sri Lanka here on Saturday night.
England’s narrow win meant that they along with the West Indies were identified as semi-finalists from Group 1. A win for Sri Lanka would have kept the group open for three teams but England poured water on their hopes with their superlative show. Sri Lanka had never started as one of the contenders in this prestigious event but for Proteas getting eliminated at group stage is a harsh result, considering that their side was packed with phenomenal players.
The script has gone horribly wrong for the Proteas after two defeats in three matches.
More than anyting it was their defeat against England in the opening match that hurt South Africa the most. Failing to defend a mammoth 229 for four was a result that put them in a position where they were left to catch up with other teams.
Even a team like Afghanistan managed to scare the Proteas before they lost to West Indies. They have been the the only team in the tournament so far that has scored over 200 twice but still struggled to win.
For Sri Lanka, retirement of their stars players, injury to regilat T20 skipper Lasith Malinga and no-show by established pros such as Tillakaratne Dilshan just compounded their woes.
Like South Africa, their only win also came against minnows Afghanistan. (AGENCIES)
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