The home team elected to bat first and posted 300/9 at the end of their allotted overs thanks to Fernando’s 118 off 115 deliveries (10x4s, 2x6s), Asalanka’s 62-ball 72 (6x4s, 1x6) and Dhananjaya de Silva’s 44 off 62. They will be pleased with the 90 runs scored off the last 10 overs on a wicket that seemed to favour the batsman once he had given himself enough time to settle in.

It was a tough bowling day for the visitors. Keshav Maharaj was the pick, returning 2/30 in his allotted spell, as well as the best economy of 3.00. Kagiso Rabada also took two wickets, his costing 66 runs in nine overs, while Aiden Markram (1/33 in six overs) and Tabraiz Shamsi (1/55 in 10) chipped in with a wicket apiece.

South Africa got off to a good start but went from 210/3 after 40 overs to finishing the match on 286/6. They lost opener, Janneman Malan for 23 (31 balls) in the 10th over before his partner, Markram found an even better partner in his captain, Temba Bavuma. They put on 106 runs for the second wicket before Bavuma retired hurt for 38 following a direct hit on the right thumb. After an initial assessment, it was decided that he would be available to bat if needed and was subsequently taken for scans at the conclusion of the match under the pre-agreed Covid-19 protocols set by the two Boards (Sri Lanka Cricket and Cricket South Africa).

Markram continued to hold down the fort, leading the charge in his next partnership with Rassie van der Dussen before falling just four runs short of what would have been an exceptional century. His 96 came off just 90 balls and included five boundaries and four sixes.

Van der Dussen took over the reigns and ploughed on with Heinrich Klaasen (36), picking up his ninth ODI half-century as they went, but found himself bowled out for a run-a-ball 59 at the hands of Akila Dananjaya (2/65).

Klaasen pressed on, but lost Andile Phehlukwayo to Chamika Karunaratne (1/18) for five at the start of the 49th over before being run out himself to the second-last ball of the match. Kagiso Rabada once again showed his growing talent with the bat, hitting a quick-fire 13 from seven deliveries that featured two well struck boundaries.

The visitors only have one day to turn things around before the second, must-win match on Saturday.