Jacques
Kallis recorded the best Twenty20 figures for his country to inspire
South Africa to a convincing 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a Group C
match at Hambantota on Thursday.The 36-year-old
allrounder grabbed 4-15 and was well supported by Morne Morkel's 2-16 as
Zimbabwe were kept down to 93-8 -- their second lowest total in all
Twenty20 internationals -- after they were put into bat.Openers
Richard Levi then notched 50 not out and Hashim Amla an unbeaten 32 to
knock off the low target in the 12.4 overs to cap a comfortable victory
for one of the title favourites in this 12-team competition.The
defeat meant Zimbabwe becomes the first team to go out of the
tournament after a one-sided match watched by just 1,000 fans in Mahinda
Rajapaksa stadium.Levi hit six boundaries off 43 balls, while Amla hit three off his 33 deliveries.Earlier Zimbabwe failed against a ruthless South African pace quartet, led by Kallis and Morne Morkel.Craig
Ervine top-scored with 37, and added 35 for the fourth wicket with
Stuart Matsikenyeri (11), to help Zimbabwe just avoid their lowest total
of 84 in all Twenty20 internationals, made against New Zealand in 2010.Morne
Morkel dismissed Vusi Sibanda (nought) and Brendan Taylor (four) in his
first two overs before Kallis polished off the middle-order with the
wickets of Matsikenyeri and Elton Chigumbura off successive deliveries
in his first over.He then dismissed Graeme Cremer (six)
and Ervine to improve on Morne Morkel's 4-17 against New Zealand in 2007
which was the previous best bowling by a South African in a Twenty20
match.Hosts Sri Lanka, who beat Zimbabwe by 82 runs, play South Africa in the final Group C match on Saturday.The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Eights round.
