ICC World T20 2016: South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets

Updated: 28 March 2016 22:51 IST - Published: 28 March 2016 18:45 IST

As for the Kotla, England and New Zealand play the first semi-final at the same venue, and they would have kept a close eye on tonight's game as well. Sportskeeda's live coverage for that game begins at 6 PM IST on March 30, and we eagerly look forward to having your company for that. Till then, it's goodbye, and goodnight!

"We didn't bat as well as we wanted against the West Indies. We should have won the first game for sure. In T20 cricket again, if you're not there at the top of your game, you're bound to suffer," says Faf du Plessis.

"Someone has to put their hands up and perform. Batting let us down throughout the tournament. It is always tough to play against South Africa. We couldn't execute our plans out there in the middle," says Dinesh Chandimal.

Alright, all the formalities have been done away with, and all eyes would now be set on March 30th and 31st when England and New Zealand, and India and West Indies square off in two crunch semi-finals to be followed by the Final on April 3.

"The ball was stopping a bit and turning, can's ask for anything more. I know the guys gave it their all and tried to make South Africa proud. It is always a good experience to play here in India where the wickets assist the spinners," says AARON PHANGISO, who has been adjudged as the MAN OF THE MATCH for his 2/26 with his left-arm spin.

Had they played like this, or even close to how they played today, the semi-final line-up might as well have been different.

An emphatic win for SA in the end, as they cruise home by 8 wickets, with Amla leading the way.

17.4 Lakmal to AB, SIX, AB finishes it in style. Waist high full toss, and AB gratefully accepts the offer and deposits the ball way over the midwicket stands. SA win by 8 wickets!

17.3 Lakmal to Amla, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Amla drives it towards deep cover for a single

17.2 Lakmal to Amla, no run, slower ball, beats the outside edge of Amla's bat again. It was the off-cutter

The Proteas are one hit away. Will Amla get that?

17.1 Lakmal to AB, 1 run, leg bye, gets the yorker on leg stump right this time, hits AB on the foot and deflects towards point

17.1 Lakmal to AB, WIDE, another wide, this time it's even further down the leg side, as AB tries to smash it, but misses out

Sri Lanka don't want AB to hit the winning runs.

17.1 Lakmal to AB, WIDE, full ball, but outside leg stump

16.6 Shanaka to Amla, no run, slower ball again, beats Amla's outside edge this time, who was trying to run it down towards third man

16.5 Shanaka to Amla, FOUR, full ball outside off, almost a yorker, Amla opens the face of the bat and splits the gap between the two men in the circle on the off side

16.4 Shanaka to AB, 1 run, driven down the ground towards long on for a single

16.3 Shanaka to AB, SIX, one slower ball too many. Another slower one and short, but this tome AB gets underneath and pulls it over midwicket for a clean strike

16.2 Shanaka to Amla, 1 run, another slower one that kept low, Amla pulls it towards deep midwicket for a single

16.1 Shanaka to AB, 1 run, slower ball that keeps low, AB just manages to pull it towards short fine leg for a single

The required run-rate is below a run-a-ball and Amla has got to his fifth T20I fifty as well. All set for AB to finish in style?

15.6 Perera to AB, 1 run, full toss outside leg, AB rushes down the track and tries to heave it over long off. He gets an edge instead that flies towards mid-off

Hashim Amla becomes the fourth Proteas batsman to score 1,000 T20I runs and he does so in some style.

15.5 Perera to Amla, 1 run, slower ball again, clips again towards square leg for a single

15.4 Perera to Amla, SIX, what a shot by Amla! He swivels across his crease and pulls the short ball over fine leg for a maximum.

15.3 Perera to AB, 1 run, AB makes room for himself and drives it towards long-off for a single

15.2 Perera to Amla, 1 run, slower one, guided towards third man behind point for a quick single

15.1 Perera to Amla, no run, on the pads, Amla clips it, but finds the man at short fine-leg. Dot ball to start the over

Some good news for Sri Lanka is that they won't finish bottom of this group.

14.6 Vandersay to Amla, 1 run, turned towards short midwicket for a single

14.5 Vandersay to Amla, FOUR, cuts it between point and backward point for a crisp boundary. Impeccable timing by Amla on that occasion

14.4 Vandersay to De Villiers, 1 run, that was slightly short and AB just pats it down the ground for a single.

14.3 Vandersay to Amla, 1 run, that was absolutely smashed by Amla straight down the ground but the fielder at long-off moves across to keep it to just one.

14.2 Vandersay to De Villiers, 1 run, plays it uppishly towards long on for a single

14.1 Vandersay to Amla, 1 run, short ball, pulled towards mid wicket for a run

Six overs to go, the run rate is very manageable but the question is whether the crowd will get to witness a bit of ABD magic.

13.6 Siriwardana to De Villiers, no run, driven firmly, but straight to the man at cover

13.5 Siriwardana to Amla, 1 run, driven to long on again

Even singles are being cheered like boundaries when AB hits them.

13.4 Siriwardana to De Villiers, 1 run, short ball, AB swivels in his crease and pulls it towards deep midwicket

13.3 Siriwardana to Amla, 1 run, driven towards long-off again for a single

13.2 Siriwardana to AB, 1 run, played towards long-off off the back foot to get off the mark

There is a huge roar that goes around the ground as AB gets set to face his first ball.

13.1 Siriwardana to Amla, 1 run, driven towards deep cover for a single

Well, there was a clear inside edge that Du Plessis got on the last ball. But then, perhaps the umpire didn't see it.

Bengaluru were robbed off the opportunity to see Chris Gayle in action but thankfully the crowd in Delhi will get to see AB.

12.6 Lakmal to Faf, OUT, Faf has been trapped leg before. Faf tries the scoop shot, but doesn't make contact. The ball hits him on the pads and the umpire S Ravi had no hesitation in raising his finger

12.5 Lakmal to Faf, no run, Faf backs away, Lakmal follows and darts it outside leg, Faf defends it back towards the bowler

12.4 Lakmal to Faf, 2 runs, low full toss outside leg, and Faf flicks it ion the gap between deep midwicket and long-on for a couple