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[Watch] Keshav Maharaj Cleans Up Dasun Shanaka With A Stunning Delivery

image-lngb5aewDasun Shanaka fought with a valiant 68 (Twitter)

In a brilliant display of cricket, South Africa clinched a victory by 102 runs, marking their dominance over Sri Lanka in on Saturday in Match 4 of World Cup 2023. 

While the Lankan lions were set a challenging task of chasing a massive target of 429, captain Dasun Shanaka almost revived the dying hopes of a nation with his commendable innings.

Dasun Shanaka chipped in with a fighting 68

However, it was Keshav Maharaj’s mesmerizing delivery that ended Shanaka’s spirited stint at the crease, stealing the spotlight and subsequently, the game. Shanaka’s gallant 68 off 62 balls was one of the focal points of the match, but Maharaj’s bowling earned the South Africans a pivotal breakthrough.

The decisive moment arrived in the 40th over. With Sri Lanka teetering at the edge, every run, every shot, and every wicket was magnified in its importance. Bowling from round the wicket, Maharaj released what can only be described as a "peach of a delivery." The ball slid past the inside edge of Shanaka’s bat, struck the pad, and then in a heart-wrenching moment for the Sri Lankan fans, kissed the stumps.



Despite the looming shadow of defeat, Shanaka’s innings was studded with strokes of defiance. One of the unforgettable flashes of his resistance was during Gerald Coetzee’s 7th over where the Lankan captain unleashed a storm of boundaries (6,4,4,4,4), reaching his fifty and raising the spirits of the home crowd.

Coming to the game, the start of the Lankan chase was marred by early losses, with both openers departing cheaply. Kusal Mendis and Charit Asalanka mounted a counterattack with their respective knocks but lost their wickets in quick succession.

Shanaka tried his best but it wasn’t meant to be for the Lankans. They eventually folded for 326, a gallant effort but one that fell 102 runs short. Coetzee’s bowling was incisive, his 3/68 pivotal in curbing the Lankan charge. Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Keshav Maharaj picked two wickets each, with Lungi Ngidi adding one to the tally.