South Africa kicks-off the five-match ODI series against the hosts Sri Lanka with a 5-wicket victory (with 114 balls remaining) at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium (Dambulla) on Sunday.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews decided to bat first after winning the toss. However, their top-order fell early as Sri Lanka was bundled out for just 193 runs in 34.3 overs.

In reply, South Africa reached the target in 31 overs after losing five wickets. With this victory in the first ODI, South Africa is leading the five-match ODI series by 0-1.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka – 193 in 34.3 overs (Kusal Perera 81, Thisara Perera 49; Tabraiz Shamsi 4/33)

South Africa – 196/5 in 31 overs (JP Duminy 53*, Faf du Plessis 47; Akila Dananjaya 3/50)

Result – South Africa won by 5 wickets

Here are some of the statistical highlights of the match:

i) Sri Lankan batsmen Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera put an important 92-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

• The second highest sixth-wicket ODI partnership for Sri Lanka against South Africa on the Sri Lankan soil. The record is 93 runs sixth-wicket partnership between Kumar Sangakkara and Upul Chandana at Colombo (RPS) on August 22, 2004.

ii) Sri Lankan no.4 batsman Kusal Perera scored 81 runs.

• The second highest ODI knock by a no.4 or lower Sri Lankan batsman against South Africa in Sri Lanka. The record is 85 by the no.5 batsman Kumar Sangakkara at Galle on July 6, 2000.

iii) Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 193 runs in 34.3 overs.

• Third lowest completed total for Sri Lanka in an ODI match against South Africa in Sri Lanka. The two lowest completed totals are 98 (at Colombo, RPS on September 2, 1993) and 167 (at Pallekele on July 26, 2013).
• It was the second fastest (34.3 overs) to be bundled up any Sri Lankan ODI innings by South Africa on the Sri Lankan soil. The record is bundling a Sri Lankan innings in 34 overs (98 runs) at Colombo (RPS) on September 2, 1993.

iv) South African bowlers Tabraiz Shamsi had a bowling figure of 8.3-0-33-4 and Kagiso Rabada had a bowling figure of 8-0-41-4.

• Shamsi bowled the fourth best ODI bowling figure and Rabada bowled the fifth best ODI bowling figure for South Africa on the Sri Lankan soil.

v) South African skipper Faf du Plessis scored 47 runs.

• Fourth joint highest ODI knock by a South African captain on the Sri Lankan soil. Former South African skipper AB de Villiers scored all the four top knocks.

vi) South Africa won this game by 5 wickets.

• It was the first time ever when South Africa made a successful ODI chase against Sri Lanka on the Sri Lankan soil.
• In overall, it was South Africa’s third ODI victory on the Sri Lankan soil at chasing.