Sri Lanka versus New Zealand T20I Series, 2024-2025

1st T20I

New Zealand team has completed a remarkable turnaround to take a 1-0 lead

New Zealand scored 172/8 in 20 overs, where as Sri Lanka scored 164/8 in 20 overs.

So, finally New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 8 runs.

New Zealand staged a remarkable comeback in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Mount Maunganui, winning by eight runs.

Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 173, were cruising at 121 for 0 before Jacob Duffy turned the game on its head.

The visitors, who seemed in control, collapsed to 164 for 8 by the end of their innings, with none of their batters, apart from the openers, managing to reach double digits.

The game shifted dramatically in the 14th over when Duffy claimed three wickets, giving the hosts a crucial opening.

He first had Kusal Mendis (46) gloving a pull to the ‘keeper before dismissing Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis for ducks off consecutive deliveries.

Duffy didn’t manage a hat-trick but finished with impressive figures of 4-0-21-3, completely changing the course of the match.

Sri Lanka needed 29 runs from the final three overs with seven wickets in hand, still heavily favored.

However, Zakary Foulkes struck another blow after Charith Asalanka’s mistimed pull was caught at deep square leg.

The tension escalated as Bhanuka Rajapaksa survived a first-ball LBW decision through DRS, which showed the ball pitched outside leg stump.

Rajapaksa responded with back-to-back boundaries to keep Sri Lanka’s hopes alive.

Despite scoring 90, Pathum Nissanka couldn’t steer his team to victory.

After seemingly finding the gap with a cut shot, Tim Robinson pulled off a stunning catch in the deep to dismiss Nissanka, further denting Sri Lanka’s chances.

Matt Henry then bowled Rajapaksa out in the penultimate over, and Foulkes wrapped things up by having Maheesh Theekshana caught and running out Wanindu Hasaranga, completing a famous win for the hosts.

Sri Lanka’s chase started aggressively, with Kusal Mendis and Nissanka taking control after a quiet first three overs.

They hit regular boundaries, with Mendis blasting a 17-run over off Foulkes.

They reached 50 in the PowerPlay, with Nissanka bringing up his half-century, and kept the pressure on New Zealand with stylish drives.

But Duffy’s breakthrough turned the tide.

Earlier, despite early wickets falling, Daryl Mitchell anchored New Zealand’s innings with a vital 62, supported by Michael Bracewell’s explosive 59 off 33 balls.

From 65 for 5 after 10 overs, Mitchell and Bracewell put together a match-winning 110-run stand in 58 balls, setting a competitive total that ultimately proved enough.