A patient half-century by opening batsman Hashim Amla guided South Africa to a consolation eight–wicket victory over struggling Sri Lanka in a Group A encounter of the World T20, in New Delhi, on Monday.
Chasing a modest target of 121 runs, Amla scored 56 runs off 52 balls as his team chased down the target with 14 balls remaining.
Skipper Faf du Plessis scored 32 runs off 36 balls, while AB de Villiers hit a brisk 20 off 12.
Earlier, Sri Lanka failed to make the most of a breezy start in their 'dead rubber'.
With both teams out of contention for a place in the semi-finals, the match was of no real consequence and Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews sat out of the game with a hamstring injury, suffered against England in their previous match.
Leading the side in Mathews's absence, Dinesh Chandimal (21) helped Tillakaratne Dilshan (36) put on 45 for the first wicket before Aaron Phangiso claimed two wickets in two balls to peg them back.
Dasun Shanaka struck an unbeaten 20 but wickets kept tumbling at the other end and Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out in 19.3 overs.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir starred with the ball for the Proteas, conceding only 18 runs off his four overs and picking a wicket.
Left-am spinner Phansigo was also impressive, picking two crucial wickets for only 26 runs off his four overs.
