Athapaththu, Samarawickrama star in Sri Lanka's memorable series win upon South Africa

Sri Lanka, with Sugandika Kumari leading the way with the ball and Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama slamming quick half-centuries, came from behind to win a historic women's bilateral T20I series for the first time against South Africa. The four-wicket win in the decider on Wednesday meant they took home the three-T20I series 2-1. Pursuing 156 for triumph, Sri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne in the second over for 1, however at that point had a 97-run stand among Athapaththu and Samarawickrama, which took them to 102, leaving them with only 54 to get from 7.2 overs. Athapaththu started to lead the pack in the run-scoring. She hit 73 out of 46 balls, with seven fours and five sixes, at East London's Bison Park, to place Sri Lanka in the ascendance. Samarawickrama was a capable partner, as she scored 54 not out in 43 balls, assisting Sri Lanka with getting in front close by Athapaththu and afterward finishing the task after somewhat of a surge of wickets, with five balls in excess. Prior, after South Africa were approached to bat at the throw, Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk started to lead the pack with the bat, with Anneke Bosch contributing with a helpful appearance. Up top, Tazmin Brits was the tranquil accomplice in a 37-run stand with Wolvaardt, scoring only 7. The pattern proceeded, with Wolvaardt ruling little stands with Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus, before Wolvaardt and Bosch added 32 in just shy of five overs. Bosch made 27 of every 21 balls with three fours and a six off Athapaththu. Then came the Wolvaardt-de Klerk organization, worth 54, in just shy of six overs, that set South Africa in a solid position. It finished when Kumari, Sri Lanka's best bowler on the evening, sent Wolvaardt back for a 47-ball 56. For Wolvaardt, who came into the game on the rear of her most memorable T20I century in the series-opener, it was the eleventh 50 years in the arrangement. Kumari, who had prior sent back Brits, added Eliz-mari Marx's wicket to her sack to get done with 3 for 24. Inoshi Priyadharshani (1 for 18) and Kavisha Dilhari (1 for 22) were noteworthy with the ball as well. The Sri Lankans will next play a 50 overs-a-side visit game against a South African XI on Saturday before the ODIs start on April 9.