After the match between Australia and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain, South Africa started as clear favorites in their match against the ‘transitioning’ Sri Lanka. In fact, for a major part of the match South Africa showed their dominance in the game. After being invited by the Lankans to bat first, South Africa made a challenging 299, courtesy another brilliant century from Hashim Amla and invaluable contribution from Faf du Plesis. The total turned out to be a match-winning total in the given conditions as this wasn’t the same pitch as used in tournament opener, the wicket had a fair amount of grass on it.

Needing 300 runs to win, Sri Lanka who were playing in the absence of their regular captain Angelo Matthews, started well but the middle order could not maintain the start and lost wickets at crucial stages of the match which eventually cost them the game.

South Africa have played as their skipper would have liked. It is to be noted that a few days prior to the game South Africa skipper AB De Villiers’ had said that they were desperate to win the Champion Trophy this time around.

Let’s have a look at a few turning points of the game.

1. Amla scores a ton

After losing the toss and having no other choice than to bat first South Africa had to put a good total on the board. Hashim Amla, South Africa’s Mr. Consistent step up to the occasion once again and scored a brilliant hundred after a watchful start along with Quinton De Kock and made sure South Africa put a defendable total.

2. Late Stutter for Africa

At one stage South Africa looked like getting a lot more than they eventually did. South Africa kept on losing wickets at regular intervals after du Plesis departed in the 34th over. However, that didn’t make a lot of difference to the match’s result.

3. Rapid start, dramatic collapse, Tahir picks up four

After the perfect start Sri Lanka lost their way dramatically. After 8 overs Sri Lanka were way ahead of the South African team scoring at over 8 runs/over. Sri Lanka were 68/1 after 8 overs while the South African scoreboard read 27/0 after 8 overs. The lack of experience in the Sri Lankan middle order clearly reflected in their performance. Imran Tahir picked up four wickets in a wonderful spell of bowling and was adjudged man of the match for his performance.