South Africa needs five wickets, while Sri Lanka requires 143 more runs as the second Test heads toward an exciting finish on Monday. Both teams are eager to secure a victory to boost their chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Sri Lanka ended day four at 205-5, chasing a target of 348 to level the series. Meanwhile, South Africa will aim to wrap up the innings quickly and clinch a 2-0 series win.
Sri Lanka’s Captain Leads the Fight
An unbeaten stand of 83 runs between skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, both on 39 not out, keeps Sri Lanka’s hopes alive. They have maintained a run rate of over four per over, though surpassing the venue’s highest successful chase—Australia’s 271-8 in 1997—will be a monumental task.
The duo will resume on Monday, with Sri Lanka needing a win to stay in the race for a spot in the WTC final at Lord’s in June. A South African victory would push them above Australia to claim the top spot in the standings.
Early Wickets for South Africa
Sri Lanka started with an attacking approach after dismissing South Africa for 317 earlier on Sunday. However, they lost early wickets. Pathum Nissanka (18) fell chasing a wide delivery from Dane Paterson, while Dimuth Karunaratne managed only a single before being trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada. Paterson struck again to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal for 29 at the start of the final session.
Keshav Maharaj’s spin dismissed Angelo Mathews (32), who missed a tossed-up delivery. The aggressive Kamindu Mendis added 35 runs off 35 balls but fell to a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne off Maharaj’s bowling.
Key Performances on Day Four
Earlier in the day, Prabath Jayasuriya shone for Sri Lanka, claiming his first five-wicket haul outside home conditions with figures of 5-129. South African captain Temba Bavuma top-scored with 66, completing his 24th Test half-century before falling to Jayasuriya.
South Africa had won the first Test in Durban by 233 runs, and they now look poised to secure the series unless Sri Lanka pulls off an incredible chase.
