Sri Lanka faced a late collapse and the Black Caps secured a stunning win over Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka won the toss and choosed to bowl first. Earlier, New Zealand’s opener Tim Robinson (11 off 9) lost his wicket in 4th over. His opening partner Rachin Ravindra (8 off 14) followed him and soon depart for Pavilion. After smashing a boundary, Mark Chapman (15 off 13) didn’t stayed long on the the pitch and was removed by Matheesha Pathirana.
The situation got worse for the black caps when Glenn Phillips ( 8 off 9 ) and Wicket-Keeper Batsman Mitchell Hay ( 0 off 1 ) got dismissed earlier by Wanindu Hasaranga with consecutive Deliveries. KIWI’s upper order went to the pavilionsoon. They were 65-5 in the 10th over. Daryl Mitchell took the inning long and rescued the kiwi’s from the critical situation. He smashed 62 off 42 alongside Michael Bracewell took the responsibility and played a classical inning of 59 off 33, leading Black Caps to reach 172-8 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka got flying start, following to chased the target of 173 in 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis gave aggressive start to Sri Lanka. They build a 121-runs partnership and it looked like Kiwi’s target was not enough to beat Sri Lanka.
Jacob Duffy’s 14th over was the game-changing over. It shifts the momentum of the game towards Black Caps. Duffy took 3 wickets in the 14th over, taking the game in the favour of New Zealand. He dismissed Kusal Mendis (46 off 36), Kusal Perera (0 off 2), and Kamindu Mendis (0 off 1) in the 14th over, pushed Sri Lanka in trouble. Matt Henry and Zakary Foulkes followed Jacob Duffy and took 2,2 wickets, takes the match far away from the Visitors.
Sri Lanka’s last hope Nissanka (90 off 60), lost his wicket in 19th over. Despite Nissanka’s fighting effort, Kiwi’s won the match. Sri Lanka finished their inning at 164-8 in 20 overs.
New Zealand secured a win by 8 runs.
Jacob Duffy (3-21) is chosen as the Player of the Match.