The only thing that Sri Lanka did right was to prevent South Africa from knocking off the runs inside 15 overs which saved them from the embarrassment of finishing at the bottom of Group 1 behind Afghanistan.
The match had no bearing on the semi-final line up and both teams were playing for pride. From the outset it looked as if Sri Lanka who won the toss and batted first were determined to finish on a high when openers Dinesh Chandimal, leading the side in the absence of Angelo Mathews (hamstring injury) and Tillekeratne Dilshan got them off to a flyer by posting 45 from the first five overs.
But the complexion of the innings and the match was to change dramatically once the South African spinners came on to bowl.
Aaron Phangiso, after being smacked for two fours off his first two balls, finished that over with two wickets - removing Chandimal (21) and Thirimanne (0).
And once Faf du Plessis brought on his slower bowlers the wobbly Sri Lankan batting collapsed in a heap. Dilshan's departure for 36 in the 13th over at 85 spelt the doom for Sri Lanka reaching a competitive total to bowl at South Africa.
Although Sri Lanka managed an early breakthrough in the South African run chase, courtesy the brilliance of a Dilshan run out of de Kock, Hashim Amla made sure there would be no mishaps on the way by stroking his way to an undefeated 56 off 52 balls. Du Plessis (31) helped Amla in a stand of 60 for the second wicket and AB de Villiers put Sri Lanka out of their misery by clubbing a Suranga Lakmal full toss over mid wicket for six to end the contest.
Sri Lanka's bad luck continued on the field when Thirimanne's who had a horrendous tournament failing to get into double figures in any of the four matches tweaked his hamstring while fielding and had to be helped off the field. Phangiso who was named Man of the Match said that South Africa who prepared well before coming needed a bit of luck on their side and it was tough when things went against them.
Once again it was the reshuffling of the batting order that let Sri Lanka down.
South Africa made fewer mistakes than Sri Lanka and won to finish third in the group.
