Disciplined bowling and a quickfire 48 by Aiden Markram helped South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first T20 international on Fri...
Disciplined bowling and a quickfire 48 by Aiden Markram helped South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first T20 international on Friday.
Markram’s 33-ball knock guided South Africa to 163/5, a total they defended by restricting Sri Lanka to 135/6 to lead the three-match series 1-0 in Colombo.
Skipper and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj led the bowling with impressive figures of 1/19 on his T20 debut to flatten the Sri Lankan batting despite a career-best unbeaten 66 by Dinesh Chandimal.
“I’ve always wanted to play T20 cricket for South Africa and I’ve got my debut at 31, but I feel 21,” said a delighted Maharaj, who was named captain after regular skipper Temba Bavuma was out injured after the first ODI last week.
“I’m just trying to do my bit and hopefully get a place in the T20 starting line-up (for the World Cup).”
Markram set up victory with his attacking innings laced with one four and two sixes to add to the South African total after they elected to bat first.
Openers Quinton de Kock (36) and Reeza Hendricks (38) set the tone with a stand of 73 before losing their wickets to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
Markram put on 65 runs off 35 balls for the fourth wicket with David...
