All round South Africa thump Sri Lanka in first T20I

Collective efforts in both batting and bowling powered South Africa to a 28-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I as they took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series on Friday at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Keshav Maharaj, who was leading the Proteas on his T20I debut, won the toss and elected to bat. It turned out to be good decision as openers Quinton de Kock (36 off 32 balls) and Reeza Hendricks (38 off 30 balls) put up 73 runs in 9.5 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga removed the pair in back-to-back overs to pull things back for the hosts.

Sri Lanka's new spin talent Maahesh Theekshana, who bowled them to the ODI series victory with a 4-37 in the third match, suffered a forgettable T20I debut as he went for 35 runs in four overs. However, he got his maiden wicket when he trapped Heinrich Klassen (2 off 4 balls) leg before in the 13th over. With the run rate slowing down, Aiden Markram (48 off 33 balls) and David Miller (26 off 15 balls) launched a brilliant counter attack adding 65 runs off 35 balls. 

However, Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera gave away just 16 runs in the last two overs as South Africa posted 163/5 in 20 overs.

Sri Lanka openers Avishka Fernando (11 off 14 balls) and Dinesh Chandimal began the chase positively by putting on 34 in 5.4 overs before Anrich Nortje ran out Fernando with a direct hit. Maharaj then struck with the first ball of his T20I career when he trapped Bhanuka Rajapaksa leg before for a duck. Charith Asalanka (6 off 19 balls) and Chandimal added 34 runs in 30 balls before Asalanka swept Tabraiz Shamsi straight to the fielder at deep square-leg. 

Chandimal soon reached his sixth T20I fifty as he added 33 runs for the fourth wicket alongside skipper Shanaka (16 off 14 balls). Despite the small partnerships, the hosts could never get going as the required rate ramped up. Chandimal remained not out on 66 from 54 balls, but was unable to impact the run chase.

With 69 runs needed off 30 balls, Sri Lanka lost three wickets in the space of nine runs to end their 20 overs at 135/6.

The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Sunday.