After posting a competitive score of 163/5 – well in the range of their recent batting-first scores in T20Is – the Proteas had to string together another solid bowling effort to successfully defend their total.

Sri Lanka started off rather watchfully, scoring 33 in their first five overs. However, the quest for runs soon brought about success for South Africa. First, a direct hit from Anrich Nortje caught Avishka Fernando well short of his ground.

Keshav Maharaj, on T20I debut and T20I captaincy debut, got right to work and struck on his first ball, trapping the left-hander Bhanuka Rajapaksa in front.

The balance continued to tilt towards the Proteas, as Charith Asalanka looked completely bogged down against spin, starkly different from his approach in the ODIs. He eked out only 6 runs in 19 deliveries, and an attempted slog off Tabraiz Shamsi provided a straightforward catch for Dwaine Pretorius at deep square leg.

Thereafter, the situation was becoming more dire ball after ball. Skipper Dasun Shanaka provided handy support for Chandimal, who was just beginning to step on the gas. However, Bjorn Fortuin rounded off a tidy spell with an excellent in-dipper to crash into Shanaka’s stumps.

Chandimal brought up a combative half-century but was still in search of a steady complement at the other end. Wanindu Hasaranga perished on just his second ball, holing out to long-off from Dwaine Pretorius’ medium pace.

In the end, it was too high a mountain for the hosts to scale. Regular wickets along with tight bowling from the Proteas ensured that they held the upper hand for most of the chase. Chandimal did well to bat through but the lack of impetus when the situation was crucial proved very costly. SA won by 28 runs.

Chamika Karunaratne struck a few lusty blows towards the end but it was too little too late, as the damage had already been inflicted much earlier.

The Proteas are now up 1-0 and will look to sustain the momentum and seal the series on Sunday.