Nelson (New Zealand)
On the basis of a stormy century by Kusal Perera (101), excellent bowling by Charit Asalanka (three wickets) and Wanindu Hasaranga (two wickets), Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by seven runs in the third T20 match on Thursday. However, New Zealand won the three-match series 2–1. Kusal Perera was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his stormy century and New Zealand bowler Jacob Duffy, who took eight wickets in the series, was awarded ‘Player of the Series’.
In response to Sri Lanka’s 218 runs, New Zealand’s opening pair of Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra made a good start and added 81 runs for the first wicket. In the eighth over, B Fernando broke this partnership by dismissing Tim Robinson (37). After this, Charit Asalanka gave two blows to New Zealand by dismissing Mark Chapman (nine) and Glenn Phillips (six). In the 13th over, Asalanka gave Sri Lanka its fourth success by bowling Rachin Ravindra. Rachin Ravindra played an inning of (69) runs in 39 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes.
Hasaranga bowled Mitchell Hay (eight) in the 16th over. In the same over, he also made Michael Bracewell (one) his victim. Nuwan Thushara took the seventh important wicket for Sri Lanka by dismissing Darryl Mitchell. Darryl Mitchell scored 35 runs in 17 balls, hitting one four and four sixes. Mitchell Santner (14) and Zachary Fox (21) remained unbeaten after scoring runs. The New Zealand team could score only 211 runs for seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and lost the match by seven runs. For Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka took three wickets and Wanindu Hasaranga took two wickets. Nuwan Thushara and B Fernando dismissed one batsman each.
Earlier today, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first. Sri Lanka, who came to bat, did not have a good start and lost its first wicket in the form of Pathum Nissanka (14) at the score of 24. He was caught out by Matt Henry at the hands of wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay. After this, in the fifth over, Mitchell Santner got Kusal Mendis caught out by Bracebell. Kusal Mendis scored (22) runs in 16 balls. Sri Lanka’s third wicket fell in the form of Avishka Fernando (17). He was lbw out by Jacob Duffy. Kusal Perera, who came to bat at number three, stood holding one end during this time.
After this, captain Charit Asalanka, who came to bat, handled the innings along with Kusal Perera. There was a partnership of 100 runs between the two batsmen for the fourth wicket. Both of them displayed explosive batting and scored runs rapidly. In the 17th over, Zackary Fox broke this partnership by dismissing Charit Aslanka. Charit Asalanka played an innings of 46 runs in 24 balls, hitting one four and five sixes. Darryl Mitchell dismissed Kusal Perera in the 19th over. Kusal Perera scored a century of 101 runs in 46 balls with the help of 13 fours and four sixes. This is his first international century in T-20. With this he also completed his two thousand runs in T-20. Sri Lanka scored 218 runs for five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. For New Zealand, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Zackary Fox, Mitchell Santner and Darryl Mitchell dismissed one batsman each.
