Sri Lanka hit a new low, register their lowest total in T20 World Cups breaking 14-year-old record

Cricket's international debut in New York turned out to be a disappointing one for Sri Lanka. In their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign opener at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka were bowled out for a mere 77 by South Africa. Anrich Nortje bagged four wickets and conceded just seven runs as Sri Lanka registered their lowest total in T20 World Cups. 
 

Two records broken

Sri Lanka's previous lowest score in T20 World Cup came in the 2010 edition. Michael Clarke-led Australia bowled them out for 87 in Bridgetown. Sri Lanka also registered their lowest T20I total. Their previous lowest of 82 came against India in 2016.
 

Nortje’s four-fer, no rescue act by any Sri Lankan batter

This is also Sri Lanka’s second total below 100 in the T20 World Cups. Earlier, Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss and opted to bat first. After a slow start, the first wicket fell in the fourth over. Pathum Nissanka got out for a single-digit score to Ottneil Baartman. They were 24/1 after powerplay overs, their joint-lowest in T20 World Cups. 

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Nortje was introduced in the eighth over and he delivered with Kamindu Mendis' wicket. In the ninth over, Keshav Maharaj struck twice to send Hasaranga and Sadeera Samarawickrama back to the dressing room for ducks. Nortje in the 10th over dismissed Kusal Mendis to reduce Sri Lanka to 40/5. This was Sri Lanka's lowest total after first 10 overs in T20Is.

Nortje continued to wreak havoc. Charith Asalanka became his third victim of the day. Kagiso Rabada cleaned up Dasun Shanaka in the 15th over to add to Sri Lanka's misery. Angelo Mathews hit a couple of sixes but became Nortje's fourth and final victim. He conceded just seven runs from his quota of four overs. The collapse continued and the last batter to fall was Maheesh Theekshana via run out. Sri Lanka were shot out for 77 in 19.1 overs.
 

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