Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka prevail in the run-curtailed cliffhanger in Pallekele

De Kock's men were set a target of 191 runs from 21 overs.

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Kusal Perera
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Kusal Perera celebrates his fifty. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The fourth ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Pallekele was a dead rubber for the fact the Proteas already sealed the series after the third match itself. The contest had a number of interruptions owing to persistent rain, however, the heavens finally calmed down and eventually, it was Angelo Mathew’s men who weathered the storm and came out trumps by a slender margin of three runs.

Lankans accelerate in the death overs

The visitors won the toss and elected to field first. The match was delayed initially and both teams were allotted 39 overs each. The Islanders started well courtesy of a 61-run stand between Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga. JP Duminy broke the partnership with the wicket of Dickwella and thereafter the home team lost a couple of quick wickets. Angelo Mathews threatened but couldn’t carry on.

Dananjaya de Silva also succumbed early in his knock. Kusal Perera scored 51 runs from 32 deliveries but became Duminy’s second victim. At 195/6 in the 28th over, Sri Lanka were looking down the barrel of posting an under-par score. Nevertheless, Thisara Perera and Dasun Shanaka scored 51 and 65 runs respectively to build a stand of 109 runs and also lift the Lankans to 306 runs.

South Africa stumble to defeat

South Africa got off to a blazing start and raced away to 21 runs from two overs. Unfortunately, the rain returned and stopped play after which a target of 191 in 21 overs was set for the Proteas. Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock carried on playing their strokes. Suranga Lakmal drew first blood for the hosts with the wicket of de Kock, who accomplished 4,000 runs in One Day Internationals.

Reeza Hendricks couldn’t repeat his heroics from his debut match. Amla and Duminy cobbled a 57-run stand to keep the visiting team in the hunt. Nonetheless, Amla, Duminy and Heinrich Klaasen’s wickets helped Sri Lanka make a comeback into the contest. The encounter went right down to the wire and in the end, Lakmal defended eight runs to guide the Lankans to their maiden triumph in the five-match series.

Here is how Twitter reacted    

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