Sri Lanka registered a stunning 78-run win in the third and final ODI cricket match against South Africa at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday. Defending a below-par total of 203/9, Sri Lanka dismissed the Proteas for 125 in 30 overs and completed a 2-1 series win. The last time they win an ODI bilateral series against South Africa was way back in 2013, a 4-1 victory at home. The win also helped Dasun Shanaka & Co leapfrog South Africa to 8th place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League . Debutant Maheesh Theekshana took four wickets, while Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga got two each as none of the South African batsmen made a mark in the series decider. Heinrich Klaasen was the top-scorerwith 22 off 30 balls. Earlier, Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first. But the hosts failed to score freely against a disciplined South Africa attack. Lead by skipper Keshav Maharaj (3/38), Proteas spinners spun a web around Sri Lankan batsmen. George Linde (2/32) and Tabraiz Shamsi (2/31) took a brace each, while Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder got one each. Charith Asalanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with a patient 47 off 71. Sri Lanka won the first match by 14 runs, while South Africa took the rain-affected second game by 67 runs (DLS). The two teams will meet in a three-match T20 International series starting Friday (September 10) at the same venue. Catch highlights of the third SL vs SA ODI match here:
SL Vs SA, 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka Humble South Africa By 78 Runs, Win Series 2-1 - Highlights
Catch highlights and cricket scores of the third and final ODI match between Sri Lanka and South Africa
9:36 PM IST: Result
Sri Lanka won by 78 runs with debutant Maheesh Theekshana making his mark with a brilliant bowling display. The 21-year-old off-spinner returned with figures of 4/37.
6:05 PM IST: Innings Break
South Africa restrict Sri Lanka to 203/9.
2:09 PM IST: Playing XIs
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamindu Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana.
South Africa: Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj (c), Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
2:05 PM IST: Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first.