SL vs SA: Anrich Nortje creates history, breaks Ajantha Mendis' 12-year-old record with stunning spell against Sri Lanka

After a disastrous campaign in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL), Anrich Nortje has roared back to form just in time for his national team South Africa.

The right-arm pacer starred with the ball as the Proteas bowled out South Africa for a paltry total of 77 runs in the first game of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Sri Lanka's decision to bat first turned into a nightmare as their batters failed to justify their captain's decision.

Although the Islanders could not score at a good pace in the powerplay, they lost only one wicket in the powerplay. However, their batters just could not turn things around. The floodgates opened in the eighth over when Anrich Nortje dismissed Kamindu Mendis to reduce Sri Lanka to 32 for 2.

From that position, the Wanindu Hasaranga-led side kept losing wickets at regular intervals. At the end of the tenth over, they found themselves reeling at 40 for 5. They were eventually all out for just 77 runs in the 20th over.

Anrich Nortje creates history:

Anrich Nortje made the difference with the ball for South Africa. The fast-bowler looked at his best once again as he picked up 4 wickets for just 7 runs in his four overs. In bowling-friendly conditions, the 30-year-old was almost unplayable for the Sri Lankan batters.

The stunning spell also helped Anrich Nortje create history as he broke the record for the most economical 4-over spell in the T20 World Cup. The record was previously held by Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis who had given away just 8 runs in his four overs while picking up a record six wickets against Zimbabwe in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Nortje, on the other hand, conceded only 7 runs in his 4-over spell to create history.

Most economical 4-over spell in T20 World Cup:

• 1.75 Anrich Nortje vs Sri Lanka, New York, 2024
• 2.00 Ajantha Mendis vs Zimbabwe, Hambantota, 2012
• 2.00 Mahmudullah vs Afghanistan, Mirpur, 2014
• 2.00 Wanindu Hasaranga vs UAE, Geelong, 2022

Nortje also equaled the record for most four-wicket hauls in the T20 World Cup. He now has three 4-wicket hauls in the tournament, the same as record-holders Saeed Ajmal and Shakib Al Hasan.