South Africa claimed a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their T20 World Cup Group D opener at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

With fast bowler Nortje’s stats the greatest by a South African in a T20 World Cup, surpassing his own 4-10 against Bangladesh in Sydney two years ago, Sri Lanka’s score was the lowest in all of T20 cricket.

The damage to Sri Lanka’s cause was also caused by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-22), who claimed two wickets in two deliveries.

In the inaugural match at a Long Island ground constructed especially for this tournament, captain Wanindu Hasaranga appeared to misjudge the conditions by choosing to bat first after winning the toss. Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews (16) and opener Kusal Mendis (19) were the only Sri Lankan batsmen to reach the 15-run mark.

However, South Africa also lost early wickets in their chase due to difficulties in timing the ball among their top order on a ground that was not conducive to batting.

They were down 23-2 early in their reply, but Quinton de Kock made 20 before the big-hitting Heinrich Klaasen calmed his side down with consecutive sixes and fours, leaving the Proteas reeling at 58-4.

With 26 balls remaining, South Africa finished at 80-4 with Klaasen at 19 not out.

In his World Cup debut, South Africa’s Ottneil Baartman, a fast bowler, had Pathum Nissanka caught in deep with his first ball, setting the stage for Sri Lanka’s collapse. Nortje then removed Kamindu Mendis in a similar manner.

as that, Maharaj struck again in the ninth over, leaving Sri Lanka behind 32-4 as Hasaranga was stumped by De Kock and Sadeera Samarawickrama was clean bowled by a quicker delivery. Charith Asalanka then managed to survive the hat-trick ball.

In the last over, Nortje came back to dismiss Mathews.

When the last man, Nuwan Thushara, was run out for one of the innings’ four ducks, Sri Lanka was bowled out with five balls remaining.

Photo by John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock