Chittagong: Opener Kusal Perera made a strokeful 61 before Sri Lankan bowlers produced a brilliant show in the death overs to pull off a thrilling five-run win over South Africa in their ICC World Twenty20 campaign opener here today.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka posted a challenging 165 for seven in 20 overs, riding on a 40-ball 61 by Perera and then restricted South Africa to 160 for eight, thanks to some fine bowling towards the end. South Africa seemed to be cruising towards the target of 166 as they required 19 runs from the last two overs, but Sri Lankan pacers Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga choked the Protea batsmen with their superb bowling.