South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj ripped through the Sri Lanka batting line-up to record the best figures by a visiting bowler on day one of the second Test in Colombo.
The left-armer took eight for 116 after Sri Lankan skipper Suranga Lakmal‘s decision to bat first had initially paid off as his side reached 116 without loss.
Openers Dimuth Karunaratne (53) and Danushka Gunathilaka (57) both scored half-centuries before being dismissed in quick succession by Maharaj, who then added Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dilruwan Perera and Lakmal to his haul, with paceman Kagiso Rabada clean bowling Roshen Silva in the meantime.
Keshav Maharaj 8/109 now the best figures by a visiting bowler in Sri Lanka
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 20, 2018
Prev: Yasir Shah 7/76 at Galle 2015#SLvSA
De Silva’s 60 was the most significant contribution for Sri Lanka, who ended the day on 277 for nine with Akila Dananjaya and Rangana Herath still at the crease.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0 following a crushing 278-run win in Galle.
