||Desk Report||

Kusal Perera, the unlikely hero of Sri Lanka, gave the masterclass to an epic one-wicket win over South Africa on the day four of the first Test in Durban on Saturday.

Perera knocked a career-best unbeaten 153 that lifted the visitors to 304 for 9 which was the target set by South Africa after their second innings. Also, he and Vishwa Fernando put on an unbeaten 78 in a last-wicket partnership that handed Lankans to secure their second victory in 14 Tests against the hosts.

Earlier, Sri Lanka started the day with 83 for 3. Oshada Fernando who was not out on day three went back for 37. But, Kusal Perera took the charge and continued his innings. However, after the departure of Niroshan Dickwella (0), Perera along with Dhananjaya de Silva made a 96-run partnership on the fifth-wicket-stand before Keshav Maharaj dismissed Dhananjaya for 48.

After then, Suranga Lakmal (0), Lasith Embuldeniya (4) and Kasun Rajitha (1) were returned to the pavilion one by one but Perera was still fighting on the other end of the wicket. Finally, Perera got the success and put on an unbeaten 78 along with Vishwa Fernando (6) in the last-wicket partnership that secured victory for Sri Lanka.

The victory gives Lankans a 1-0 lead in the short two-Test tour and ends South Africa’s run of seven straight home series win. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka had not won a game in any format since October and having been beaten on tours to New Zealand and Australia. But, now they will go in search of a first Test series win in South Africa when the second and final match is played in Port Elizabeth from February 21-25.

Also, this was the third-highest successful run chase in nearly 100 years of Tests in Durban and the partnership between Perera and Fernando is a record for the highest 10th-wicket-stand to win a Test. The previous was 57 by Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed for Pakistan against Australia 25 years ago.

Brief scores

1st Innings

South Africa: 235

Quinton de Kock 80; Fernando 4-62, Rajitha 3-68

Sri Lanka: 191

Perera 51, Steyn 4-48, Philander 2-32

2nd Innings