Hashim Amla struck an unbeaten 56 as South Africa beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets ©Getty Images

South Africa ended a disappointing International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 campaign on a positive note as Hashim Amla’s unbeaten half century guided them to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a dead rubber contest at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.

In a low-key contest between two teams who had already been eliminated from the tournament, South Africa dominated from start to finish and bowled Sri Lanka out for just 120.

Kyle Abbott was the pick of the Proteas attack as he took 2-14, with Tillakaratne Dilshan recording the only notable score for the Asian nation as he managed 36.

Chasing a miserly 121 for victory, Amla led from the front as the opener hit 56 not out off 52 balls, including five fours and a six, while Faf du Plessis also chipped in with 31.

Victory was sealed in style by AB De Villiers as he smashed a huge six as South Africa reached their required target in the 18th over.

The result sees the South African team, who many thought would have enough firepower in their ranks to reach the last four, finish third in Group 1 behind semi-finalists England and the West Indies.

Sri Lanka ended a poor fourth, surviving the embarrassment of occupying the final spot in the group by virtue of having a better net run rate than Afghanistan, who produced a stunning win over the West Indies yesterday.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 120 as their World Twenty20 campaign ended in defeat
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 120 as their World Twenty20 campaign ended in defeat ©Getty Images

England will go up against unbeaten New Zealand in the first semi-final in Delhi on Wednesday (March 30) while hosts India, who qualified for the last four by beating Australia, will face the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday (March 31).

South Africa and Sri Lanka also clashed in the final match of the women’s group stage, though there was a different outcome as the Asian side recorded a 10-run success at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

The two teams were making their last appearance at the competition after failing to progress to the semi-finals.

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu was the star performer as she scored 52 in a stuttering performance from her side as they limped to 114-7.

South Africa’s reply began brightly, with Dane van Niekerk and Trisha Chetty putting on 50 for the first wicket.

But they then started to collapse as wickets tumbled and they eventually fell short on 104-7 from their 20 overs.

England's women will play Australia on the same day as their male counterparts in the semi-final in Delhi, before New Zealand and West Indies do battle in Mumbai the next day.