Tahir steals win over SL in Super Over: 1st T20 (Cape Town)

Spinner Imran Tahir held his nerve to deliver a stunning Super Over tiebreaker after a spirited fightback from Sri Lanka at the death saw the choking Proteas lose five wickets for just 17 runs which meant the match was tied.

Sent into bat, Sri Lanka overcame an early collapse to post 134/7, with Andile Phehlukwayo the best bowler with figures of 3/25 (4 overs).

David Miller’s career-best 41 (23 balls) and Van der Dussen 34 (30 balls) setup the Proteas as they required just 18 runs for victory with four overs (24 balls) remaining and with seven wickets in hand.The Proteas then lost five wickets for just 17 runs which meant the match was tied. Lasith Malinga took a superb 2/11 (4 overs) and he was ably assisted by Isuru Udana.

In the Super Over, Malinga was bludgeoned by Miller who hit a six and four to score 14. It left Sri Lanka needing 15 to win but Tahir conceded only five runs from his over.

Sri Lanka 134 for 7 (Kamindu 41, Phehlukwayo 3-25) tied with South Africa 134 for 8 (Miller 41, Malinga 2-11).

March 2019