Aiden Markram scored 48 runs in 33 balls to assist South Africa win the primary Twenty20 by 28 runs over Sri Lanka.
Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendrix received South Africa off to a powerful begin with a 73-run partnership for the primary wicket. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga eliminated de Kock (36) and Hendricks (38) to cut back the guests to 79-2.
Spinner Mahesh Thekshana dismissed Heinrich Klaasen (2) lbw as South Africa fell to 87-3.
However, Markram and David Miller (26 off 15) rebuilt the innings, sharing a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket off 35 balls. Markram hit one 4 and two sixes in his innings.
Hasranga scored 2-23 runs in 4 overs.
South Africa’s bowlers have been tight from the beginning, stopping Sri Lanka from scoring runs freely.
Avishka Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal gave the house group a modest begin with a gap partnership of 34 runs earlier than Fernando (11) was run out within the sixth over.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa was dismissed on the primary ball within the subsequent over, lbw by the left-arm spin bowler and captain Keshav Maharaj. Charit Aslanka (6 off 19) tried to extend the scoring fee and was caught within the deep by Dwayne Pretorius off left-arm wrist spinner Tabrez Shamsi.
Dinesh Chandimal’s 66* | 1st T20I #SLVSA @chandi_17
Full Highlight️ https://t.co/vt7jmJz8AZ pic.twitter.com/ypTwToUaP5
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) September 11, 2021
Chandimal remained unbeaten in his career-best 66. His 54-ball knock included 5 fours and two sixes.
Maharaj took 1–19 in his first T20I in 4 overs, and claimed a wicket on his first ball.
Shamsi, Pretorius, Bjorn Fortuin and Enrique Nortje all took a wicket every.
The second T20 is on Sunday.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
