South Africa made a fine comeback in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka after winning the second encounter by 67 runs (DLS Method) in a rain-curtailed game in Colombo.
The match was initially reduced to 47 overs per side but was forced to get curtailed once again handing the hosts a target of 265 runs in 41 overs eventually.
The home side had a dismal start to the proceedings and were reduced to 19/3 to be left tottering at 61/4 before Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka chipped in with a partnership of 64 runs for the fifth wicket.
Shanaka was then sent back in the hut for 30 by Shamsi while Asalanka continued to score runs and notched up a half-century. Sri Lanka then lost a couple of more wickets and were 147/7 when Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera tried to provide some resistance to the team with a stand of 45 runs for the 8th wicket. But their efforts weren’t really enough to take the team over the line and the hosts were bowled out for 197 in 26.4 overs.
Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas after he bagged a fifer.
Earlier, South Africa rode on a brilliant ton from Janneman Malan, a fifty from Hendricks and a late surge from Klassen to post 283/6 in the allotted 47 overs. Klassen compiled 43 off 27.
The visitors capitalised on the steady start that they got in the initial phase of the game to put a good total on the board.
South Africa stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj lauded the team and hailed the bowling unit for their efforts after the match.
“My job was made easier by the team. We bowled well up first and pushed the Lankans on the back foot. I think the boys put in more energy behind the ball today. We talked about it. You should also play to the conditions,” he said.
The three-match series is levelled at 1-1 with the third and deciding match to take place on Tuesday at the same venue.