SL v/s SA 2nd Test: Why South Africa cricketers wore black armbands against Sri Lanka

South Africa are facing Sri Lanka in the second test match of the series at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The second match of the 2-test series started on Friday.

Sri Lanka, who are leading the series 1-0, won the toss and opted to bat first. Many fans were surprised to see the South Africa players take the field wearing black armbands. 

The reason behind this gesture was very noble. The black armbands was a mark of respect for their teammate Tabraiz Shamsi's father who passed away recently. The South Africa team wore the armbands in his memory and to show support to their teammate.

Shamsi had to fly back home soon after the first Test match. He joined the team a couple of days before the final match. He wasn’t included in the playing XI for the game though as South Africa opted for extra pace and went for Lungi Ngidi.

The team are wearing black armbands today in memory of Tabraiz Shamsi’s father who passed away last week. #RIP pic.twitter.com/mLXqvF85cp

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 20, 2018

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj claimed career-best figures of eight for 116 as South Africa restricted Sri Lanka to 277 for nine by stumps on the opening day. Maharaj's figures are the third best against Sri Lanka by any opposition bowler following Imran Khan's eight for 58 in Lahore and Shannon Gabriel's eight for 62 in St. Lucia last month.

After a promising start where the openers put on 116 runs for the first wicket, Sri Lanka collapsed as Maharaj bowled a probing line. In a bid to strengthen their batting after their poor show in Galle, the tourists went into the game with a lone spinner, leaving out Shamsi and they may have regretted the decision given Sri Lanka's troubles against the only spinner.