In a nail-biting encounter at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand edged out Sri Lanka by a narrow margin of eight runs in the first T20 International of the series. The game saw several twists and turns, with both teams enjoying moments of dominance before the hosts emerged victorious.
New Zealand’s Resilient Comeback
Opting to bat first, New Zealand found themselves in early trouble as Sri Lanka’s bowlers dismantled the top order. Binura Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga were exceptional, reducing the hosts to a precarious 65/5.
However, the duo of Daryl Mitchell (62 off 42) and Michael Bracewell (59 off 33) engineered a remarkable recovery. Their century partnership for the seventh wicket powered New Zealand to a defendable total of 172/8. Bracewell’s four sixes and Mitchell’s steady innings underlined their importance to the team. Sri Lanka’s bowling efforts were led by Fernando, Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana, who picked up two wickets each.
Nissanka’s Heroics Go in Vain
Chasing 173, Sri Lanka got off to a blistering start. Pathum Nissanka (90 off 52) and Kusal Mendis (46 off 37) built a solid foundation, amassing 121 runs for the first wicket. Nissanka’s fluent batting, punctuated by seven boundaries and three sixes, gave Sri Lanka the upper hand.
The duo’s dominance saw Sri Lanka reach 50 runs in just 5.3 overs, and at one point, they seemed poised to seal the game comfortably.
Jacob Duffy’s Game-Changing Spell
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Jacob Duffy, staged a dramatic comeback. Duffy dismissed Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Kamindu Mendis in quick succession, derailing Sri Lanka’s chase.
Skipper Charith Asalanka (3) and Nissanka also fell shortly after, with Matt Henry and Zakir Fox contributing vital breakthroughs. Nissanka’s dismissal, just 10 runs short of a well-deserved century, was the turning point as Sri Lanka lost momentum.
Sri Lanka Falters in the Final Overs
Needing 43 runs from the last seven overs with eight wickets in hand, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure. The middle and lower-order batters failed to deliver, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Despite the promising start, Sri Lanka finished at 164/8, falling agonizingly short of the target. Duffy emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3/21, supported by Henry and Fox, who bagged two wickets each.
Key Takeaways
- New Zealand’s Recovery: Mitchell and Bracewell’s partnership was crucial in setting a competitive target.
- Sri Lanka’s Collapse: The visitors squandered a golden opportunity after their openers’ excellent performance.
- Bowling Excellence: Duffy’s spell turned the tide in favor of the hosts.
New Zealand takes a 1-0 lead in the series, while Sri Lanka will look to regroup and address their batting frailties ahead of the next match.
