subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now
Tabraiz Shamsi of Proteas celebrates the wicket of Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka during the second T20 International match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 12 2021. Picture: ISURU SAMEERA/GALLO IMAGES
Tabraiz Shamsi of Proteas celebrates the wicket of Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka during the second T20 International match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 12 2021. Picture: ISURU SAMEERA/GALLO IMAGES

SA beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a rain-hit Twenty20 (T20) international in Colombo on Sunday to win the three-match series with a match to spare.

Having lost the one-day international series 2-1, the Proteas won the first T20 match by 28 runs and bowled out Sri Lanka for 103 in the second — their lowest score when batting first at home.

Opener Kusal Perera scored 30 but found little support as five bowlers picked up wickets regularly.

Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers with 3/20, while Aiden Markram finished with a career best 3/21 as the spinners wreaked havoc.

“We’ve got a lot of quality bowlers in the attack. These pitches take a lot more turn than back home. That’s something we’ve got to get used to,” said Shamsi, who was player of the match.

In response, SA reached the target with the loss of just one wicket as opener Quinton de Kock smashed seven boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 58, while Markram scored 21 off 19 balls.

The final T20I will be played in Colombo on Tuesday.

Reuters

subscribe Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.