Rabada, Shamsi set up SA victory
Dambulla, July 29: 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 fivematch series.
South Africa’s chase depended on an 86-run third-wicket 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 Jean-Paul 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 leftarm 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 sixth-wicket stand with Thisara Perera, who made 49 to give the team total some respect.
Kusal and Thisara counter-attacked to hit the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground as Sri Lanka reached 100 in the 16th over.
The left-handed batting duo cashed in on the inexperience of rookie pacemen Willem Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo as they plundered runs.
But the introduction of spin in the 18th over put Sri Lanka in trouble again.
— AFP