Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando starred as Sri Lanka chased down the target of 197 runs to complete an eight-wicket win in the second and final Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.
With the victory, the islanders became only the third side ever in history after England and Australia and the first from Asia to win a Test series on South African soil.
Having won the first Test at Durban in dramatic fashion by one wicket, the Sri Lankans showed no signs of any nerves on day three at Port Elizabeth as they completed a tricky chase without too much fuss.
Resuming from their overnight score of 60-2 in the final innings, Mendis and Fernando were not to be shaken as they collected runs at a fair clip. Both the batsmen brought up their respective half-centuries in the first session itself on Saturday with South Africa’s bowlers finding absolutely no joy.
Mendis remained unbeaten on 84 (110) while Fernando made 75 (106) as Sri Lanka cruised to a win without any trouble. The duo shared an unbeaten 163-run stand off just 213 deliveries for the third wicket which was incidentally the first century partnership by either side in the series.
Fernando and Mendis added 163 runs for the third wicket.
Earlier on day two, Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal picked up a four-wicket haul as South Africa were bowled out for just 128 runs in their second innings. The hosts had managed to take a 68-run lead in the first-innings after scoring 222 runs before bundling out Sri Lanka for 154.
Kusal Mendis was awarded the man-of-the-match while Kusal Perera was awarded the man-of-the-series for his sensational unbeaten 153 in the first Test at Durban.
BRIEF SCORES
South Africa: 222 and 128
Sri Lanka: 154 and 197-2
Kusal Mendis: 84 not out (110)
Oshada Fernando: 75 not out (106)
