New Delhi: Sri Lanka lost as many as 8 wickets for just 43 runs to suffer a shock defeat in the 1st T20I against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday. After a brilliant 121-run opening stand between openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan batting line-up fell like a pack of cards as the Kiwis came from behind to pull off an incredible victory.
In pursuit of the 173-run target, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start as openers Nissanka and Mendis dominated the proceedings against the hosts. Nissanka slammed a brilliant 90 off just 60 balls laced with 7 fours and 3 sixes while Mendis scored 46 off 36 balls with the help of 6 fours and a solitary six as the duo shared a 121-run opening stand.
Nissanka and Mendis set the stage for a comfortable victory for the visitors with their opening stand. However, the middle order failed to capitalise as the pacers helped New Zealand make a stunning comeback in the game with wickets at regular intervals. Jacob Duffy broke the opening partnership by dismissing Mendis on 46 to draw the first blood for the Kiwis in the 14th over.
The opener’s dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse for Sri Lanka as they failed to recover. Duffy got rid of Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis on ducks in the same over to set the tone for New Zealand. There was no looking back for the hosts after that as Matt Henry and Zakary Foulkes helped New Zealand restrict Sri Lanka to 164/8 in 20 overs and secure a thrilling 8-run victory.
Foulkes dismissed Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka cheaply on 3 before Henry got rid of Nissanka on 90 and Bhanuka Rajapaksa cheaply on 8 in the same over to reduce the visitors to tatters. Foulkes successfully defended 14 runs in the final over by dismissing Maheesh Theekshana on the very first ball before Wanindu Hasaranga was run out on the next delivery.
Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell shine for New Zealand
All-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell starred for New Zealand with the bat after the hosts were asked to bat first in the 1st T20I. The hosts got off to a poor start and were reduced to 39/3 in the first seven overs before Mitchell took charge.
The swashbuckling right-hander smashed a brilliant knock of 62 runs off 42 balls and combined with Bracewell, who hammered a quickfire 59 off 33 balls to propel the Kiwis to 172/8 in 20 overs with a 105-run stand for the sixth wicket. New Zealand went 1-0 up with the victory and will be looking to seal the three-match series with a victory in the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka on Monday, December 30.
Sri Lanka suffered a terrible batting collapse in their run-chase to suffer a shock 8-run defeat in the 1st T20I against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
