Hambantota: South Africa bowlers once again proved their worth as they defended 145, beat Sri Lanka by 22 runs in 2nd Twenty20 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.
They batted with grit and determination, and their bowlers put their hand up once again to register an easy win.
The host never got going once again, their over reliance on the seniors is hurting them badly. Sangakkara chipped in with 39 but got no support from the remaining batsmen.
The visitors lost the ODI series, but have something to show for their efforts on the tour. They now have an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Sri Lanka will remain No. 1 in the rankings if they win the dead rubber on Tuesday. If they lose that as well, Pakistan will officially be the top T20 side.
Earlier, Aggressive batting by JP Duminy and David Miller steered South Africa to 145/6.
Duminy scored 30 off 23 balls and Miller hit a 21-ball 36 after the tourists, who elected to bat after winning the toss, were reduced to 48/3 in the ninth over.
Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara finished with two for 22, while Sachithra Senanayake claimed two for 18 in four steady overs of off-spin bowling despite the windy conditions.
Opener Quinton de Kock scored 19 and star batsman AB de Villiers was run out after making 15 off 14.
Earlier, South Africa have won the toss and have opted to bat.
South Africa unchanged. Two changes to Sri Lanka -- Tilakratne Dilshan and Jeevan Mendis out, Mahela and Nuwan Kulasekara in.
Teams:
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene, Kushal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (Capt.), Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wj), Henry Davids, Faf du Plessis (Capt.), AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, David Wiese, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe
Brief scores
South Africa 145/6 (Miller 36, Duminy 30, Senanayake 2-18, Kulasekara 2-22)
Sri Lanka 123/7 (Sangakkara 38, Tsotsobe 2-17, Morkel 2-34)
Result South Africa won by 22 runs
MOM David Miller (Sri Lanka)