Shanaka, Lakmal script thrilling win over Proteas: 4th ODI (Kandy)

Allrounder Dasun Shanka smashed 63 off just 34 balls and paceman Suranga Lakmal bowled a tight final over to help Sri Lanka beat South Africa by three runs to avoid a white wash. 

A sizzling half-century from Kusal Perera (51 off 32 balls) was not enough as Sri Lanka struggled to 195-7. Thisara Perera (51 not out) and Shanaka (63) out on 109 runs for the 7th wicket to push Sri Lanka to 306-7 in a rain reduced 39 overs.

Chasing a revised target of 191 runs from 21 overs, Hashim Amla (40) and JP Duminy (38) had South Africa ahead of the run rate but a middle-order collapse left them needing eight runs from the final over with two wickets in hand. Lakmal got out David Miller (21) to restrict South Africa to 187-9. 

South Africa lead the series 3-1.

Sri Lanka 306 for 7 in 39 overs (Shanaka 65, Thisara 51*, Duminy 2-35) beat South Africa 187 for 9 in 21 overs (Amla 40, Duminy 38, Lakmal 3-46) by three runs (DLS method).

Aug 2018.