(Cricket news) After losing the ODI series, South Africa whitewashed Sri Lanka in the 3 match T20I series. Quinton de Kock was given the man of the series award for scoring 153 runs which included two match winning fifties. All three T20Is just like the ODIs were low scoring. South Africa's Bjorn Fortuin was the highest wicket-taker with 5 wickets in 3 matches.
In the 1st T20I, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. The Proteas set a target of 164 with Aiden Markram scoring a quick fire 48. In reply, Sri Lanka could only manage 135 despite Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten 66. The match was Keshav Maharaj's T20I debut where he captained the side and took a wicket with his 1st ball.
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In the following game, Sri Lanka elected to bat first and in came the Shamsi Storm. Tabraiz Shamsi picked up 3/20 in his four as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 103 runs in 18 overs. In reply Quinton de Kock’s 58 guided the Proteas to a 9 wicket win in the 14th over as South Africa wrapped up the series.
Sri Lanka in the 3rd T20I once again elected to bat first. Kagiso Rabada and Bjorn Fortuin led from the front and restricted the Lankans to 120. Chamika Karunaratne and Kusal Perera were the only batsman to cross the 20 run mark. Quinton de Kock continued his hot run of form as he scored another fifty to get South Africa over the line with 6 overs to spare and 10 wickets in hand.
The two sides will now play the T20 World Cup in October. Sri Lanka will have to go through a group stage while South Africa will directly play in the Super 12.
