Image Courtesy: DNA
South Africa had their first positive outing in the tour as they managed to oust the hosts to clinch victory in the first ODI by five wickets.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first at Dambulla, Sri Lanka were in all sorts of trouble after reducing to 36-5 inside the first 10 overs.
Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera stitched a crucial aggressive partnership in the middle overs before the hosts folded up for 193 with over 15 overs to spare. Tabraiz Shamsi and Kagiso Rabada picked up four wickets each in their respective spells.
The chase did not begin on a positive note for the Proteas as spin struck again to dismiss Amla and Markram after a brisk start. Skipper Du Plessis managed to survive the spin onslaught alongside De Kock before JP Duminy finished off the innings with a brisk half-century.
Brief Scorecard:
Sri Lanka 193 all out in 34.3 overs (Kusal Perera 81, Thisara Perera 49; Tabraiz Shamsi 4-33, Kagiso Rabada 4-41)
South Africa 196/5 in 31 overs (JP Duminy 53*, Faf du Plessis 47, Quinton de Kock 47; Akila Dananjaya 3-50)
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