South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: SA’s win by 28 runs

The first Twenty20 international between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Friday was a show of sheer talent by the winning side. South Africa was the standing winner on the ground at the end of the interesting game showcasing Aiden Markram’s outstanding 48 majorly contributing to the winning total in a 33-ball knock. The Africans defended their 163/5 total by limiting the Lankan innings to 135/6.

The three-match series is now favoring South Africa with a 1-0 lead in Colombo while Sri Lanka tastes defeat completing 28 runs behind the winning side. Skipper and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was impressive at the bowling end with 1-19 on his debut while Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal hit his career-best with an unbeaten 66. 73 run partnership by Openers Quinton de Kock (36) and Reeza Hendricks (38) triggered the dominance before falling to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka's defeat followed with Avishka Fernando's run out and Bhanuka Rajapaksa's lbw even Chandimal’s valiant 66 couldn’t save the side.