Sri Lanka scored their first victory of the ODI series as they won the fourth ODI against South Africa by three runs (DLS) runs in a rain-affected thriller in Pallekele on Wednesday. 

South Africa were chasing a revised target of 191 from 21 overs. They needed eight runs from the final over with two wickets in hand but fell short of a fourth straight victory.

Sri Lanka had earlier posted 306 in a rain-interrupted 39-over innings. 

South Africa were going great in their chase with stand-in captain Quinton de Kock helping his side to 21 from the first two overs before rain struck again. After the weather relented again, South Africa were set a revised target of 191 from 21 overs on DLS. Which meanth that they needed 170 runs from the next 19 overs. 

De Kock fell for 23 off 13 but his opening partner Hashim Amla made 40 off 23 with six fours. He and JP Duminy (38) put on 57 for the third wicket. Heinrich Klaasen added 17 runs to leave the visitors 129/4 off 12.2 with Duminy and Miller at the crease.

Duminy was then run out by Shanaka. The Proteas then lost a succession of wickets as Sri Lanka came back into the game. Still South Africa were the favourite when the game went into the last over with two wickets in hand and David Miller (21) on strike. 

Miller turned down a single first ball of the over with debutant bowler Junior Dala up the other end. He was then was bowled off the second ball. It left Dala and No.11 Lungi needing eight off four balls, which proved too much.

Suranga Lakmal, who bowled the final over, ended with 3/46 from his five overs while Thisara took 2/32 and Dhananjaya de Silva 1/26.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s openers had passed 50 for the first time in the series. That partnership, and a rapid 68-ball 109 stand between Thisara Perera and Dasun Shanaka had got the hosts to 306 in a rain-interrupted 39-over innings. 

The Pereras - Kusal and Thisara - along with Shanaka, were to thank for the competitive total, Shanaka hitting 65 off 34 balls.