At Mount Maunganui on Saturday, December 28, New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Sri Lanka after eking out an exciting eight-run victory in the opening Twenty20 International.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka decided to field in the hopes that the Bay Oval pitch would be helpful. In the tenth over, the Sri Lankans reduced the hosts to 65 for 5, demonstrating that the decision paid off early. The ball’s top performers, Binura Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga, took advantage of the circumstances.
The Kiwis’ fortunes were changed, nevertheless, by a spectacular 105-run partnership between Michael Bracewell (59 off 33) and Daryl Mitchell (62 off 42). The pair ran hard between the wickets and punished loose deliveries with some powerful strokes. New Zealand scored 172 for 8 owing to their partnership, which included multiple boundaries in the last overs.
With a solid 121-run opening partnership from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (46 off 36), the Lankan Lions got the chase off to a great start.
With 121 for no loss in the 14th over, the pair were ready to win the match. However, a collapse was brought on by Jacob Duffy’s rapid dismissals of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Kamindu Mendis in the 14th over.
Nissanka, meanwhile, had one end but no middle or lower order support. New Zealand secured a thrilling victory because to Matt Henry’s bowling in the end and Zak Foulkes’ unforgettable last over. Duffy’s game-changing spell earned him Player of the Match, as he concluded with figures of 3 for 21. Nissanka was unable to complete the game for his team, hence his 90 off 60 balls was in vain.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to New Zealand’s win over Sri Lanka in first T20I:
#NZvSL #NZvsSL #PathumNissanka pic.twitter.com/tMtXiFT9yp
— sudharshan sridharan (@sudharshansrid1) December 28, 2024
Hasranga Run Out at Non Strikers end. Looks like Sri Lanka arr done here.
The now Need 14 of 4 Balls.#Cricket | #NZvsSL | #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/JZKBE6Z2vT
— Zain Cric (@Zain_Cric) December 28, 2024
Wicket of Theekshana on 1st Ball.
Sri Lanka Need 14 of 5 Balls. Hasranga at Non-Strikers end.#Cricket | #NZvsSL | #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/7FUbOwFKwg
— Zain Cric (@Zain_Cric) December 28, 2024
What an over Mat Henry #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/6pArMNUNON
— Ashish Raj (@adven_raj) December 28, 2024
This is a some comeback from New Zealand. Double Strike in penultimate over from Matt Henry.
Sri Lanka Need 19 of 8 Balls.#Cricket | #NZvsSL | #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/RHuriDES2A
— Zain Cric (@Zain_Cric) December 28, 2024
No Srilankan batter Scored T20I Century in Last 13yrs
𝗣 𝗡𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮 missed this Today by just 10 runs!
A Great catch by Tim Robinson!#NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/RAkaB9o2LB— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) December 28, 2024
What a thriller at Maunganui.
A game dat was for SL to win comfortably,went to NZ’s kitty.
SL, after reducing NZ to 65/5 in 10 overs, let the Kiwis score 172.
While chasing, from a winning position of 121/0 in 13th ovr, they ended up with 164, losing 8 wkts for 38 runs #NZvsSL— Ambika (@apmahapatra) December 28, 2024
Highest Opening partnership for Sri lanka in T20Is
Dilshan and Jayasuriya (124) vs Westindies vs Westindies 2009
Nissanka and Mendis (121) vs New Zealand 2024***
Chandimal and Dilshan (110) vs Pakistan 2016
Dilshan and Kusal Perera (100) vs Pakistan 2013#NzvsSL— Raz (@RazanAhamed6) December 28, 2024
Sri Lanka’s greatest opponent isn’t even the opposition, it’s ourselves
#NZvsSL
— Pucelanka (@pucelanka) December 28, 2024
Stop the press. Golden duck for Kamindu Mendis#NZvsSL
— Gaurav Lamba
#MI
(@Gauravl28031995) December 28, 2024
SL after 13 overs 120/0
After 14 overs 121/3#Nissanka is still there on 78* hope he gets a Hundred#SLvNZ #NZvsSL
— Jaan
Nissanka gone for 90(60)
Can NZ wrap up the inngs ! #NZvsSL https://t.co/2P941fbODW— Jaan
What a timely catch, woww,
Nissankaaaa, goneeeee in 90’s
Robinson, what catch#NzvsSL
— Ahmed (@born_realist_IK) December 28, 2024
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