Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said that the side's capitulation to South Africa in their ICC Champions Trophy opener was typical to their inconsistent form in their last 18 months.
Tahir's man-of-the-match performance stood out despite team-mate Hashim Amla's record breaking 25th ODI ton.
Captain A B de Villiers, who could not contribute much with the bat, was at his brilliant best while fielding as he effected a superb high catch (to dismiss Kusal Mendis) and a stunning run out (to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal).
Earlier, the Proteas' total of 299/6 had been built on the back of Hashim Amla's 25th one-day worldwide ton, a brilliant 75 from Faf du Plessis and a quickfire 38 at the end of the innings by JP Duminy.
Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella started the Sri Lankan batting with a quick start; their 69-run partnership was broken by Morne Morkel who got the wicket of Dickwella in the eighth over.
Sri Lanka never truly recovered following that opening wicket and they ultimately slipped to their eighth consecutive ODI defeat to South Africa. Tharanga pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing, the statement added.
De Villiers knew better: "It was an fantastic innings - he did really well to assess the conditions".
"Mathews had complained of stiffness and pain, prompting the team management to conduct radiographic investigations, which revealed a strain on the muscle", ESPNcricinfo quoted a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) release as saying.
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Upul Tharanga - captain for the day after Angelo Mathews failed a late fitness test on a calf muscle injury - too fell for the googly when he hit one straight to the deep cover fielder.
South Africa finished their series against England with a seven-wicket win at Lord's, having ensured every member of their Champions Trophy squad was involved at some stage in the three matches.
So far, Sri Lanka has struggled to win the match in warm up games.
Captain AB de Villiers welcomed the duo's return, particularly Tahir who is the Proteas' highest wicket-taker in the previous year with 35 scalps at an average of 24.37.
The Sri Lankas were ruled to be four overs short of their target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
Sri Lanka is perilously close to suffering a major blow ahead of its Champions Trophy 2017 opener vs.
Amla's own half-century came off 56 deliveries and at the halfway mark, South Africa reached 130 for one.
"He's an awesome player and a great asset for us". Dickwella soon opened up scoring five boundaries and a six while Tharanga smashed two more boundaries in the eighth over as Sri Lanka raced to 68 for naught in eight overs.
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