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[Watch] 6,4,4,4,4 -  Dasun Shanaka's Brutal Hitting Frustrate South Africa 

image-lngabb19Dasun Shanaka during his knock vs SA (AP Photos)

Dasun Shanaka has been pretty successful as Sri Lanka's captain in the last couple of years or so. However, his batting has come under scrutiny for inconsistency and just before the World Cup, there were reports of him being removed as Lankan skipper. However, he retained his captaincy role for the World Cup and now in the opening game of the tournament, he has made as statement by smashing 68 off 62 balls, with his team under immense pressure.

South Africa posted 428 on the board and Sri lanka in reply despite Mendis' swashbuckling fifty were never in the chase. Shanaka came in at number 7 and first took his time in the middle and once he found his confidence, he absolutely unleashed himself and smashed Gerald Coetzee for 23 runs in a single over.

It was the 37th over of Sri Lanka's innings and the first ball of the over went for a six. It was a shortish delivery on middle, and Shanaka tried to pull it but got the top edge that sailed over the keeper's head for a maximum. The second ball was pumped over mid on for a boundary while the third delivery was hammered over point for another four. The fourth delivery was a full one on middle and Shanaka, staying deep in his crease launched it straight down the ground again. Coetzee then pulled his length back, bowled it on middle stump line and Shanaka pulled it to deep square leg for his fourth consecutive boundary.

However, despite this majestic knock from Shanaka, Sri Lanka lost the game by 102 runs and South Africa have notched up a comprehensive win to start off their World Cup campaign.