1st T20I
Charith Asalanka and the bowlers has provided Sri Lanka team with a winning start
New Zealand scored 135 in 19.3 overs, where as Sri Lanka scored 140/6 in 19 overs.
So, finally Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 4 wickets.
Charith Asalanka’s unbeaten 35 guided Sri Lanka to a 1-0 lead in Dambulla, in a tricky chase, after his bowlers had effectively exploited the conditions, which offered plenty of turn.
Asalanka’s spin trio—Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana—shared six wickets between them, regularly breaking through New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Despite a spirited effort from Zakary Foulkes, who helped New Zealand post a competitive total, the Sri Lankan chase never seemed in real jeopardy, even as the New Zealand bowlers made things difficult.
Wellalage was the first to profit from the helpful conditions, striking with his very first delivery to remove New Zealand’s opening batter, Tim Robinson.
The Kiwis lost two more wickets during the Power Play, with Nuwan Thusara dismissing Mark Chapman and Theekshana sending Will Young back LBW.
Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell tried to steady the ship, but their resistance ended in the ninth over, with Phillips falling to a wrong ‘un from Hasaranga.
New Zealand lost their fifth wicket in the 10th over when debutant Mitch Hay was caught behind off Mathesha Pathirana, who then took another in his next over as Josh Clarkson top-edged a short ball to Kamindu Mendis.
Bracewell continued to fight on, but was dismissed in the 15th over by Thusara.
Mitchell Santner was then undone by Hasaranga’s googly in the 16th over, getting stumped as New Zealand crumbled to 96/8.
Foulkes and Ish Sodhi managed to add a crucial 39-run stand to push New Zealand’s total past 100.
Foulkes remained unbeaten on 27 off 16 balls, helping his team to a total of 135/9 in 20 overs—just enough to give their bowlers a slim chance on a challenging surface.
As Sri Lanka began their chase, New Zealand’s bowlers did their best to make things difficult.
Santner removed Kusal Mendis in the second over, but Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera responded with 38 runs in just three Power Play overs.
Nissanka tried to disrupt Foulkes’ rhythm when the pacer came on, but was bowled in the sixth over.
Bracewell then dismissed Perera in the seventh to leave Sri Lanka at 55/3.
However, just as it looked like New Zealand might wrest control, Asalanka took charge, smashing two sixes—one over long-off and another over mid-wicket—to lift Sri Lanka to 78/3 at the 10-over mark.
The momentum swung again with Phillips taking a crucial wicket off a half-tracker that Kamindu Mendis mishit to Ish Sodhi.
Foulkes kept the pressure on, removing Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the next over to leave Sri Lanka at 94/5.
Asalanka, however, found a steady partner in Hasaranga, and together they guided Sri Lanka towards the target.
Hasaranga’s dismissal in the 18th over for a 23-ball 22 only delayed the inevitable.
With just seven runs needed from the final 12 balls, Wellalage sealed the win with a four and a six in the penultimate over, ensuring Sri Lanka completed the chase comfortably.
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