South Africa clinched the three-match series against Sri Lanka with a game to spare following a thumping nine-wicket win in the second T20I at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. They wrapped up Sri Lanka for 103 in 18.1 overs and chased down the paltry target with 35 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka reinforced at the top with Kusal Perera’s return after opting to bat. Still, they did not get off to an ideal start, as Dinesh Chandimal (5) walked back in the second over after his mistimed pull went straight to Keshav Maharaj at mid on.
No. 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa (20 in 13 balls) looked ominous, striking three fours and a six. But he did not last long either, falling caught and bowled to full toss off Aiden Markram in the fifth over.
Sri Lanka were still in comfortable position, on 59/2 in 7.3 overs. Maharaj then brought Tabraiz Shamsi (3-20) into the attack, and the latter did the damage immediately. First, he got Dhananjaya de Silva, and then in his next over, cleaned up Dasun Shanaka.
In the 11th over, Markram gave South Africa a major breakthrough when he pinned a well-set Kusal Perera (30 in 25) leg before. Sri Lanka never really recovered from there, as they slipped to 71/3 to 103 all out in no time.
Bjorn Fortuin returned excellent figures of 4-0-12-2, while Markram bowled a maiden in his 3-21.
Sri Lankan bowlers had not looked at their best in the Powerplay, and Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks took full advantage. Hendricks played second fiddle to de Kock in their 62-run opening-wicket stand in 50 balls before Wanindu Hasaranga (1-22) dismissed him in the ninth over.
Markram (21* in 19) and de Kock played according to the situation. The chase was always under South Africa’s control, and they reached there comfortably. De Kock remained not out on 58, laced with seven fours.
South Africa will play for the one last time in this tour on 14 September, for the third T20I at the same venue.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 103 in 18.1 overs (Kusal Perera 30; Tabraiz Shamsi 3-20) lost to Sri Lanka 105/1 in 14.1 overs (Quinton de Kock 58*; Wanindu Hasaranga 1-22) by 9 wickets with 35 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Tabraiz Shamsi.