South Africa beats Sri Lanka by 22 runs in 2nd T20

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka (AP) — Seam bowlers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel took two wickets each Sunday to propel South Africa to a 22-run win over Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 match for an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa made a competitive 145-6 and then restricted the hosts to 123-7. Proteas batsman David Miller hit 36 off 21 deliveries and won the man-of-the-match award.

"Such a great feeling, we have just beaten the No. 1 team in the world in their own conditions so I am really proud of the boys," South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said. "Sri Lanka showed no mercy against us in the ODIs, certainly we are not going to show them any mercy," in Tuesday's third match.

Tsotsobe gave South Africa an ideal start with the ball, dismissing Mahela Jayawardene (6) and Dinesh Chandimal (2) early to leave Sri Lanka on 27-2.

Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for Sri Lanka with 39 off 35 deliveries, including four boundaries.

Jayawardene edged a good-length ball to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, while captain Chandimal slashed at a delivery to also be caught by De Kock.

Kusal Perera showed promise by making 21 off 22 deliveries, but was trapped lbw trying to reverse sweep legspinner Imran Tahir.

The hosts lost Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews and Sangakkara in the space of five runs to slump to 90-6.

Tsotsobe returned 2-17. Morkel had 2-34.

"It was a gettable score but we just did not bat well," Sri Lanka captain Chandimal said. "Kusal (Perera) and Sangakkara batted really well in the first eight to nine overs, after that we hit some rash shots."

Earlier, Miller, batting at No. 6, hit two sixes and a boundary. JP Duminy made 30 off 23 deliveries.

Spinner Sachithra Senanayake and seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekara picked up two wickets each for the hosts.

South Africa won the first game on Friday by 12 runs.