Wellington: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 7 runs in the third and final T20I cricket match, marking their only victory of the series. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 218 runs for the loss of 5 wickets within their allotted 20 overs.
Kusal Perera shone brightly for Sri Lanka with a remarkable 101 runs off just 60 balls, displaying his full range of strokes. Captain Charith Ashalanka also contributed significantly, scoring 46 runs. Despite strong efforts from New Zealand’s bowlers—Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Zachary Fuchs, Mitchell Santner, and Daryl Mitchell all claimed one wicket each—the chase would prove elusive.
New Zealand’s response saw them scoring 211 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Rachin Ravindra led their innings with 69 runs, supported by Tim Robinson with 37 runs and Daryl Mitchell adding 35 runs. The home team found themselves falling just short of the demanding target, largely due to effective bowling from the Sri Lankans.
Charith Ashalanka took on the role of strike bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming 3 wickets during the match. Venindu Hasaranga also stood out with the ball, taking 2 wickets to help secure the victory. Kusal Perera was named the best player of the match, thanks to his pivotal innings, and Jacob Duffy was awarded the title of best player of the series, having been consistent throughout.
The T20 series, comprised of three matches, concluded with New Zealand winning the series 2-1, but Sri Lanka's spirited performance in the final match has provided them with important morale-boosting momentum as they prepare for the upcoming ODI series.
Looking forward, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka for three One Day Internationals starting on January 5. The ODI matches will take place across various locations: the first will be held in Wellington, followed by the second on January 8 in Hamilton, and the final on January 11 in Auckland. The initial ODI clash is scheduled to start at 11:00 am local time, with the following matches commencing at 2:00 pm local time.
This upcoming series presents new opportunities for both teams, with New Zealand's Mitchell Santner set to debut as the full-time captain for ODIs. A notable absence for the hosts includes star players Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, who will miss the series due to commitments to the SA20 league. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be led by Charith Ashalanka, welcoming back Wanindu Hasaranga after he missed their previous encounters due to injury.
The changes to both squads suggest exciting matchups are on the horizon, with fans eager to see if Sri Lanka can carry the momentum from their final T20 match forward and challenge New Zealand's home team effectively.