A late flourish from Kagiso Rabada and David Miller helped South Africa overcome a Wanindu Hasaranga hat-trick and beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in their T20 World Cup Super 12 clash in Sharjah on Saturday. 

The 24-year-old leggie became only the third bowler to take a hat-trick in T20 World Cup history as the feat put his side in the driver’s seat for a second win from as many games.  

Hasaranga clean bowled Aiden Markram (19) in the last delivery of the 15th over, before dismissing skipper Temba Bavuma (46) and Dwaine Pretorius (0) with the first two balls of the 18th over to complete the hattrick. 

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Only former Australian speedster Brett Lee – against Bangladesh in Cape Town in the 2007 edition – and Irish medium pacer Curtis Campher – against the Netherlands earlier in this tournament –  have taken hat-tricks in T20 World Cup history. 

However, Rabada smashed Dushmantha Chameera for a six in the penultimate over before Miller struck two sixes off Lahiru Kumara in the final over to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. With the Proteas needing one run from two balls, the winning moment came when a length ball from Kumara flew off Rabada’s top-edge for a boundary.

Chasing a target of 143, South Africa were off to a stuttering start with Chameera removing openers Reeza Hendricks (11) and Quinton de Kock (12) – who returned for his side after controversially opting out of the previous encounter against West Indies.

Rassie van der Dussen (16) looked in good touch before being run out by Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka in a big blow for South Africa. 

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Skipper Bavuma then anchored the innings with a composed knock before Hasaranga nearly put them out of the contest with a sensational second spell. 

Earlier, a brilliant 58-ball 72 from opener Pathum Nissanka helped Sri Lanka reach a respectable total after their middle order was demolished by Tabraiz Shamsi and Pretorius. 

Kusal Perera (7) was the first to depart after being bowled by Anrich Nortje, with Charith Asalanka (21) looking solid in his 41-run stand with Nissanka. However, the partnership was broken with a superb bit of fielding by Rabada, resulting in Asalanka’s run out. 

Shamsi and Pretorius finished with identical figures of 3/17, with Nortje (2/27) also among the wickets. Only Shanaka reached three figures as Nissanka’s late onslaught propelled Sri Lanka to 142.