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Sri Lanka secured a narrow seven-run win over New Zealand in a thrilling chase, despite being set a challenging target of 219. The victory was primarily built on Kusal Perera’s blistering maiden T20I century, which came off just 44 balls, the fastest ever by a Sri Lankan. While Sri Lanka’s total of 218 in their […]
Sri Lanka secured a narrow seven-run win over New Zealand in a thrilling chase, despite being set a challenging target of 219. The victory was primarily built on Kusal Perera’s blistering maiden T20I century, which came off just 44 balls, the fastest ever by a Sri Lankan. While Sri Lanka’s total of 218 in their first innings initially seemed underwhelming, it proved sufficient as New Zealand’s chase unfolded.
For much of the chase, New Zealand kept pace with the required rate, and at one point, they seemed to be ahead, especially after Daryl Mitchell’s explosive 25-run over, which included four consecutive sixes off Charith Asalanka. However, Sri Lanka regained control with key wickets in the death overs. Despite a late surge from Zachary Foulkes in the final over, Sri Lanka held their nerve to seal the win and claim a consolation victory.
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Kusal Perera’s explosive knock was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s second-highest T20I total, as he was dismissed with just two overs remaining in the innings. Despite his early departure, the impact of his innings was clear, with Sri Lanka managing to score at a brisk pace throughout. The final two overs were a mere formality, as they still posted a challenging total. Charith Asalanka also played a key role, contributing 46 with the bat before returning to the attack with a three-wicket haul that stunted New Zealand’s chase. His athletic catch at extra cover further showcased his all-round contribution, but it was Perera’s remarkable innings that earned him the player of the match award.
Jacob Duffy, who had been a standout throughout the series, picked up just one wicket in this match, although his economical bowling (7.50 runs per over) remained the best of any bowler who bowled at least two overs. Despite not taking many wickets, his consistency earned him the well-deserved player of the series award.
The game’s unpredictable nature was clear from the outset, with Sri Lanka losing three of their top four batsmen within the first 10 overs, including both openers during the powerplay. However, they managed to maintain a steady run rate, with Kusal Mendis contributing 22 off 16 balls, Pathum Nissanka adding 14 off 12, and Avishka Fernando chipping in with 17 off 12. This allowed Sri Lanka to keep the scoreboard ticking at around eight runs per over, despite the early setbacks.
While New Zealand took two excellent catches to dismiss Nissanka and Mendis, they will likely regret missing a key opportunity early on. A miscued reverse sweep off Perera, when he was on just 15, went unrewarded, and this missed chance proved to be a significant turning point in the match.
Sri Lanka’s innings began with early setbacks, losing three wickets in the first 10 overs. However, despite the losses, they reached 85, which turned out to be their highest score at the halfway point in the series. This promising foundation set the stage for a spectacular second half, as Sri Lanka’s batting began to fire, and the final 10 overs would comfortably surpass that tally.
Led by the explosive Kusal Perera, and with short boundaries at Nelson providing additional opportunities, Sri Lanka launched an impressive assault, scoring 133 runs in the final 10 overs. The total could have been even higher if not for two outstanding overs from Daryl Mitchell and Jacob Duffy, who kept the runs to just six each. Nevertheless, the damage had already been done in the earlier overs, with an astonishing 75 runs coming from overs 14 to 18, largely driven by Perera’s attacking stroke play.
Perera’s century, achieved at a strike rate above 200, was a remarkable display of power-hitting, featuring 13 fours and four sixes. His aggressive approach saw him dominate the boundaries behind square early on, before evolving his strategy into a more expansive style, punctuated by a massive six over cover to bring up his century. He was well-supported by Charith Asalanka, who contributed a fiery 46 off 24 balls. Together, they put on a 100-run partnership off just 45 deliveries, adding to Sri Lanka’s dominance.
New Zealand’s chase of 219 in Nelson demonstrated their trademark resilience and tactical approach. While many teams might have been intimidated by such a daunting target, New Zealand’s openers, Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra, set an aggressive tone right from the first over, hitting Chamidu Wickramasinghe for boundaries. A quiet five-run over from Nuwan Thushara followed, but New Zealand quickly made up for it by attacking Sri Lanka’s most effective seamer of the series, Binura Fernando, scoring 18 runs off his opening over.
The onslaught continued throughout the innings as New Zealand raced to 63 runs in the powerplay, and by the halfway point, they had accumulated 108 runs with eight wickets still in hand. The aggressive start, combined with consistent batting throughout, ensured that New Zealand was always in control of the chase, putting them on track to achieve the target with ease.
With Thushara and Binura saved for the death overs and Theekshana having an off day, Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, faced a dilemma during the middle overs. He had to decide whether to trust the inexperienced Wickramasinghe to handle the fifth-bowler quota or to bowl a few overs himself. Opting for the latter, Asalanka made an immediate impact, taking the key wickets of Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips in successive overs. His third over then delivered the breakthrough that shifted the momentum, as he dismissed Rachin Ravindra for a well-made 69, leaving New Zealand’s chase in a delicate position.
Though Asalanka’s decision to bowl himself out may have backfired later, when Daryl Mitchell punished him, his earlier wickets meant that New Zealand was now forced to chase down the target off Sri Lanka’s frontline bowlers. Asalanka’s middle-over intervention proved crucial, as it allowed his team to control the game and keep the pressure on the visitors heading into the death overs.
Despite Asalanka’s crucial strikes, Daryl Mitchell’s explosive hitting had brought the chase down to just 51 runs from 30 balls with six wickets still in hand. At that stage, it seemed New Zealand were almost there, but they faltered at the final hurdle. Wanindu Hasaranga’s double-wicket over in the 16th over turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favor, halting Mitchell’s momentum and bringing the game back in their control. When Mitchell fell an over later attempting to take on Nuwan Thushara, it seemed like New Zealand’s chances had slipped away.
However, Zachary Foulkes fought back with some powerful late hitting, ensuring Sri Lanka had to work hard for the win. Despite his efforts, Sri Lanka’s bowlers just about managed to hold on, securing a narrow victory and ending New Zealand’s chase.
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