Pacer Anrich Nortje, after an indifferent campaign in the IPL for Delhi Capitals, returned to form with a career-best 4/7 that helped South Africa to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their T20 World Cup opener on Monday.

At the Nassau County International Stadium in New York, where India will play the first three of their four group-phase games, Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first backfired as they were bowled out for 77, their lowest total ever in T20Is. Nuwan Thushara’s run-out dismissal ended their innings in 19.1 overs.

The Proteas, too, struggled during their reply on a two-paced, sticky pitch. Had the Sri Lankans been a little better in terms of their application and shot selection and somehow stretched their total to 120 or a little more, the task could well have been more tedious for the Proteas.

However, 78 was too little a target they had to chase as thanks to keeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen (19 not out)'s late blows, South Africa eventually reached home with 22 balls to spare.

Captain and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga struck twice for the Sri Lankans.

Earlier, Nortje bowled full tilt as a part of the Proteas’ four-pronged pace attack and bettered his previous best T20 figures of 4/10. Kagiso Rabada returned with 2/21, while wily left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj also delivered in the conditions on offer to finish with 2/22.

The drop-in pitch proved to be a nightmare for the Lankan batters as they struggled to time the ball, while the outfield too was slow. Ottneil Baartman who returned with impressive figures of 1/9 on his T20 World Cup debut, struck off his very first ball.

Besides, this game was only Baartman’s second T20I appearance, following his debut last month against the West Indies.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 77 in 19.1 ovs (A. Nortje 4/7, K. Maharaj 2/22). South Africa 80/4 in 16.2 ovs (H. Klaasen 19 n.o.; W. Hasaranga 2/22). South Africa won by 6 wickets.