The hosts, Sri Lanka registered their first win of the five-match series against South Africa when they won by the skin of their teeth as they got over the line by three runs. In fact, it was a much-needed win for the Island nation after their continuous drubbing at the hands of the Proteas. Sportzwiki brings you the Match Report.
Sri Lanka not only were trailing by 3-0 in the ongoing series but also they had lost ten matches on the trot against South Africa. Quinton de Kock who was leading the Proteas for the first time won the toss and elected to field first.
Sri Lanka finally gets a win under their belt.
The home side was able to put 306 runs on the board after the match was reduced to 39 overs. All the Sri Lankan batters got off to starts and drove their innings in the topmost gear.
A good start was provided when southpaw openers Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga put together an alliance of 61 runs. Kusal Perera scored a quickfire 51 off just 32 balls to give a threshold to the home side. However, the finishing touches were given by Thisara Perera and Dasun Shanaka.
Thisara Perera scored a fine 51 off 45 balls. Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka was even better scoring 64 off just 34 balls.
On the other hand, visitors target was revised to 191 in 21 overs. Therefore, the tourists had to bat in a T20 avatar. In fact, they were given a brisk start by their openers, Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla. However, the skipper de Kock was bowled by Suranga Lakmal.
JP Duminy was taking the game away from Sri Lanka but the southpaw batsman was dismissed via a run-out when he was going strong on 38 off just 23 balls. No other Proteas batsman got himself as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Match Report.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 306-9 (39 overs); Dasun Shanaka 65 (34), Kusal Perea 51 (32)
JP Duminy 2-35.
South Africa: 187-9 (21 overs); Hashim Amla 40 (23), JP Duminy 38 (23)
Suranga Lakmal 3-46.
Sri Lanka won by three runs. (DLS method)