New Delhi: Suranga Sampath scored a ton to help Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 54 runs and secure their second win in the 3rd T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind played here at the DDA Siri Fort Sports Complex. Australia opened their account in the tournament by securing their first win after beating Nepal by 24 runs at the Saket Sports Complex.
Put into bat by South Africa, Sri Lanka scored 215/3 from 20 overs. Opener Suranga Sampath scored the bulk of the scoring by smashing an unbeaten century of 61 balls. (101 runs, 9 x 4). He was supported by Chandana Deshapriya who scored 42 runs (24 balls, 4 x 4). The pair put on 81 runs for the third wicket. In reply South Africa lost 3 wickets in quick succession in the start of the innings. Captain Bhule Bhidla and Lwande Bhidla put together an 81 run partnership for the fourth wicket. Both of the batters were dismissed in the 15th over in consecutive balls which gave Sri Lanka the advantage. Bhule scored 47 of 32 balls and Lwande scored 27 of 37 balls. South Africa finished their innings on 161/6 in their 20 overs. Murugan Mohanraja took 3 wickets for Sri Lanka.
Australia was put into bat against Nepal in the other round robin match. Australia riding on half centuries from Zannis Michael, Cameron Matt and Brider Brad scored 220/2 from 20 overs. In reply Nepal could only manage 196 for the loss of 5 wickets from their 20 overs. Santa Pahari top scored for Nepal with 64 runs while Bharat Chaulagai scored 32 but both innings were not enough to take Nepal over the line.
Scores:
Sri Lanka – 215/3 in 20 overs (Suranga Sampath – 101 not out, Chandana Deshapriya – 42) bt South Africa – 161/6 in 20 overs (Santa Pahari – 64, Bharat Chaulagai – 32; Mohan Gururaja – 3/35)
Australia – 220/2 in 20 overs (Zannis Michael – 70 not out, Cameron Matt – 53, Brider Brad – 51 not out) bt Nepal – 196/5 in 20 overs overs ( Santa Pahari – 64, Bharat Chaulagai – 32)
TOMORROW’S MATCHES
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA – KHALSA STADIUM, INDORE
SRI LANKA VS BANGLADESH – SACHIN TENDULKAR GYMKHANA, MUMBAI
SOUTH AFRICA VS NEPAL – DDA SIRI FORT SPORTS COMPLEX, DELHI
