South Africa inflict 408-run loss on India, take series 2-0
Guwahati (PTI): Off-spinner Simon Harmer picked a six-wicket haul as South Africa defeated India by 408 runs in the second Test to complete a 2-0 series whitewash here on Wednesday.
The loss marks another embarrassing chapter in India's Test history as it was their biggest loss in terms of runs. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years.
Chasing an improbable 549-run target, Ravindra Jadeja waged a lone battle, scoring an 87-ball 54.
Harmer, who recorded career-best figures of 6/37, ended with a match haul of nine wickets.
The tourists outplayed India in all three departments, with Aiden Markram (9) setting the record for most catches in a Test match, overtaking Ajinkya Rahane's eight claimed in 2015.
Sai Sudharsan's excruciating 138-ball stay came to an end as Senuran Muthusamy had him caught by Markram soon after the second session began as India failed to reach even 150.
Brief Scores:
South Africa: 489 & 260 for 5 declared
India: 201 & 140 all out in 63.4 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 54, Washington Sundar 16, Simon Harmer 6/37).
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Rain washes out Super Eights match between New Zealand and Pakistan
Pallekele (Sri Lanka) (PTI): New Zealand and Pakistan shared a point after incessant rain forced the abandonment of the opening T20 World Cup Group 2 Super Eights match here on Saturday.
Amid a slight drizzle, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.
But the steady droplets soon transformed into relentless pouring, forcing the officials to call off the match without a ball being bowled.
Before the skies opened up, Pakistan made one change to their eleven, bringing in Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay.
New Zealand made three changes with skipper Mitchell Santner back after missing the last match against Canada due to a stomach issue and Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi also found a place in the XI.
But all those calculations and combinations will have to wait for another day, as Pakistan will now face England here on February 24.
New Zealand will make a light travel to Colombo to face home side Sri Lanka on February 25.
The washout has also placed both the Kiwis and Pakistan in a relatively tighter place ahead of their remaining two Super Eights matches.
A similar result in any of the following matches, a possibility considering Sri Lanka’s weather pattern, or a defeat can put their semifinal ambitions in serious jeopardy.
