The ICBT cricket team who is representing Sri Lanka in the Red Bull campus Cricket 2019 – World Finals couldn’t go past the mammoth total posted by South Africa in the first play off as they lost the decisive twenty-20 game by 36 runs at the ICC Academy Cricket ground no. 02 in Dubai.
Read More : Sri Lanka through to play-offs in Red Bull Campus Cricket World Cup
After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bat first and hammered the Sri Lankans all over the park to reach to 220 in the completed 20 overs with just 2 wickets down. Opener Jiveshen Pillay stole the show as he raced to a brilliant century with 6 maximums and 10 boundaries.
Pillay’s 64 ball 109 was assisted by a cameo from Donovan Ferreira who rocketed the innings with a late burst of 30 ball 62 including four sixes. Left arm spinner Maheesha was the only bolwer to have some sort of control with the ball as he ended up with figure of 1/31 in 4 overs.
In reply, Sri LankaN innings was on course up until 8 overs as wicket keeper batsman Lahiru Milantha torched the opposition with his brutal stroke play; scoring a quick 53 but 4 quick dismissals within 3 overs derailed Sri Lanka’s chase.
Read Also : ICBT crowned champions at Red Bull Campus Cricket Tournament 2019
Prolific runs scorer in the tournament, Himasha Liyanage tried to revive things with a 26-ball half century but his dismissal sealed the match for South Africa as Sri Lanka bundled out for 179 handing a comprehensive 36 runs victory to the opposition.
With this win, South Africa qualified to play in the final which will be played tomorrow (02). Sri Lanka still has an opportunity to make the final and become back to back champions for two consecutive years. The winner of the Play off 02 between India vs Pakistan which will also be played today,will play Sri Lanka in another playoff and the winner will go through to the final.
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South Africa 220/3 (20) Jiveshen Pillay 109*, Ruan De Swardt 62Sri Lanka 179 (19.3) Lahiru Milantha 53, Himasha Liyanage 50, Sean Gilson 3/27, Gideon Peters 3/31, Ruan De Swardt 2/33, Ruben Trumpelmann 2/41South Africa won by 41 runs
