Rabada, Shamsi set up Proteas’ big win

Bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi starred in South Africa’s convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Dambulla on Sunday.

Rabada and Shamsi claimed four wickets each to help bowl out Sri Lanka for 193, a total the visitors passed in just 31 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

South Africa’s chase depended on an 86-run thirdwicket stand between Quinton de Kock and skipper Faf du Plessis, who both hit 47.

Off-spinner Akila Dananjaya struck at crucial moments to get three wickets but JP Duminy ensured a swift chase with his 32-ball unbeaten 53.

But it was a superb opening pace spell from Rabada and Shamsi’s career-best figures of 4-33 with his left-arm wrist spin that led South Africa to their first victory on tour after being swept aside in a two-Test series.

Sri Lanka’s innings lasted just 34.3 overs but batsman Kusal Perera hit a gritty 81 to lift the hosts from a precarious 36-5 following their decision to bat first.

Kusal, whose 72-ball stay included seven fours and a six, put on a crucial 92-run sixthwicket stand with Thisara Perera, who made 49 to give the team total some respect. The left-handed batting duo cashed in on the inexperience of rookie pacemen Willem Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo as they plundered runs.

South Africa had a wobbly start to their chase after opener Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram fell to the guile of Dananjaya.

However de Kock and du Plessis were denied their fifties after Dananjaya and left-arm spinner Lakshan Sandakan got the batsmen out respectively.

Duminy, who hit six fours and two sixes, kept calm to complete his 26th ODI halfcentury and the veteran lefthand batsman hit the winning runs.