COLOMBO: Spinner Lakshan Sandakan starred in Sri Lanka´s hard-fought three-wicket win over South Africa in the only Twenty20 international after bowling out the visitors for their lowest total in the game´s shortest format.
Electing to bat in the only T20 match of the tour, South Africa were bowled out for 98, a total the hosts surpassed with four overs to spare.
The Proteas, who lost the two-Test series 2-0 and then came back to clinch the one-day internationals 3-2, were two runs less than their previous low score of 100 against Pakistan in 2013.
Dinesh Chandimal, who returned from his ban for breaching the spirit of the game, remained unbeaten on 36 to guide the team home in a tricky chase.
Chandimal´s 53-run third-wicket partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva, who made 31, was key in Sri Lanka reaching their target in 16 overs.
“I realised it was not a T20 wicket and just rotated the strike. I just played like Test cricket,” Chandimal said after the win.
“It´s really good to come back after (the) ODI series. The boys showed a lot of character and attitude and finished it on a winning note. It´s good for the Asia Cup (upcoming 50-over tournament in September),” Chandimal said of his side.
