The Proteas spun their way to a T20I series victory over hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday night.
And they have an unlikely hero to thank for the nine-wicket win at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
After winning the Man of the Match award in Friday’s series-opening 28-run win with his knock of 48 off 33 balls, Aiden Markram this time starred with ball in hand with bowling figures of 3/21 in four overs as South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for just 103 runs.
Part-time spinner Markram was part of a gevaarlike spin quartet, with Bjorn Fortuin (2/12 in four overs) Tabraiz Shamsi (3/20 in four) and Keshav
Maharaj (1/10 in 2.1) all starring as SA took an unassailable 2-0 series lead heading into tomorrow’s final match.
Not chasing the biggest of scores to win, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks opened the batting for the visitors.
Totalling 62 runs for the first wicket, Hendricks was sent packing with his score on 18.
De Kock was then joined in the middle by die einste Markram, before rain halted South Africa’s progress with their score on 65/1.
When play resumed, the two men weren’t going to mess around and went all-out for the win.
De Kock top-scored with a superb 58 off 48 balls, while Markram continued his good run with a well-worked 21* off 19 balls as SA got home with 35 balls to spare.