<p>Disciplined bowling and a quickfire 48 by Aiden Markram helped South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first Twenty20 international on Friday.</p>.<p>Markram's 33-ball knock guided South Africa to 163-5, a total they defended by restricting Sri Lanka to 135-6 to lead the three-match series 1-0 in Colombo.</p>.<p>Skipper and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj led the bowling with impressive figures of 1-19 on his T20 debut to flatten the Sri Lankan batting despite a career-best unbeaten 66 by Dinesh Chandimal.</p>.<p>"I've always wanted to play T20 cricket for South Africa and I've got my debut at 31, but I feel 21," said a delighted Maharaj, who was named captain after regular skipper Temba Bavuma was out injured after the first ODI last week.</p>.<p>"I'm just trying to do my bit and hopefully get a place in the T20 starting line-up (for the World Cup)."</p>.<p>Markram set up victory with his attacking innings laced with one four and two sixes to add to the South African total after they elected to bat first.</p>.<p>Openers Quinton de Kock (36) and Reeza Hendricks (38) set the tone with a stand of 73 before losing their wickets to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.</p>.<p>Markram put on 65 runs off 35 balls for the fourth wicket with David Miller, who hit 26 off 15 deliveries, to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.</p>.<p>Sri Lankan skipper and medium-pace bowler Dasun Shanaka broke the partnership with Markram's wicket in the penultimate over to check the South African surge.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals in their chase with Avishka Fernando run out for 11 and Maharaj getting Bhanuka Rajapaksa out lbw for nought.</p>.<p>Chandimal then played a valiant innings to record his sixth T20 half-century and surpass his previous best of 58. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 54-ball knock.</p>.<p>"We should adjust to conditions and win games," said Shanaka.</p>.<p>"We are trying to play the best team to win the series, but I would like to give more chances to players also."</p>.<p>The second match is on Sunday at the same venue.</p>
<p>Disciplined bowling and a quickfire 48 by Aiden Markram helped South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first Twenty20 international on Friday.</p>.<p>Markram's 33-ball knock guided South Africa to 163-5, a total they defended by restricting Sri Lanka to 135-6 to lead the three-match series 1-0 in Colombo.</p>.<p>Skipper and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj led the bowling with impressive figures of 1-19 on his T20 debut to flatten the Sri Lankan batting despite a career-best unbeaten 66 by Dinesh Chandimal.</p>.<p>"I've always wanted to play T20 cricket for South Africa and I've got my debut at 31, but I feel 21," said a delighted Maharaj, who was named captain after regular skipper Temba Bavuma was out injured after the first ODI last week.</p>.<p>"I'm just trying to do my bit and hopefully get a place in the T20 starting line-up (for the World Cup)."</p>.<p>Markram set up victory with his attacking innings laced with one four and two sixes to add to the South African total after they elected to bat first.</p>.<p>Openers Quinton de Kock (36) and Reeza Hendricks (38) set the tone with a stand of 73 before losing their wickets to leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.</p>.<p>Markram put on 65 runs off 35 balls for the fourth wicket with David Miller, who hit 26 off 15 deliveries, to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.</p>.<p>Sri Lankan skipper and medium-pace bowler Dasun Shanaka broke the partnership with Markram's wicket in the penultimate over to check the South African surge.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals in their chase with Avishka Fernando run out for 11 and Maharaj getting Bhanuka Rajapaksa out lbw for nought.</p>.<p>Chandimal then played a valiant innings to record his sixth T20 half-century and surpass his previous best of 58. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 54-ball knock.</p>.<p>"We should adjust to conditions and win games," said Shanaka.</p>.<p>"We are trying to play the best team to win the series, but I would like to give more chances to players also."</p>.<p>The second match is on Sunday at the same venue.</p>