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Sri Lanka has the last laugh in an astonishing 429-run T20I, setting records and leaving their opponents stunned in a high-scoring thriller. |
Cricket lovers enjoyed a great match at the beginning of the year. The Sri Lankans defeated the hosts by 7 runs in the third T20 between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on Thursday (January 2). However, the Kiwis won the series 2-1 by winning the match.
Asalanka (right) took the highest 3 wickets for the Sri Lankans. Photo: Collected
Asalanka (right) took the highest 3 wickets for the Sri Lankans. Photo: Collected
Playing time
After losing the toss in Nelson, Sri Lanka scored a huge capital of 218 runs for 5 wickets, relying on Kusal Perera's century. Although the visitors did not start well, Kusal Perera, who came down to number three, turned the tide of the match. He put on a hundred-run partnership with Asalanka.
These two Sri Lankan batsmen dominated the New Zealand bowlers. Meanwhile, Kusal Perera scored his first century in his T20 career. The Sri Lankan batsman completed his century in 44 balls with 13 fours and 4 sixes. However, he departed soon after the century. Perera was dismissed for 101 runs off 46 balls by Mitchell. And Sri Lankan captain Asalanka was dismissed for 46 runs off 24 balls. Although the rest could not score much, the visitors got a huge capital.
Five bowlers took one wicket each for New Zealand. They are - Henry, Duffy, Foulkes, Santner and Mitchell.
In reply, New Zealand got off to a flying start with the bat of Ravindra and Robinson. The opening pair scored 81 runs. However, after the opening pair broke, the Kiwis kept losing wickets at regular intervals. After Rachin Ravindra returned for 69 runs off 39 balls, Darrell Mitchell fought alone against the Sri Lankans. He scored 35 runs off 17 balls. Asalanka took control of the match by hitting four sixes in one over. However, the Kiwis were eliminated from the match after Mitchell was dismissed.
In the end, Foulkes' unbeaten 21 off 13 balls and Mitchell Santner's unbeaten 14 off 10 balls only reduced the margin of defeat. New Zealand's innings ended at 211 for 7 in 20 overs. Asalanka took 3 wickets for 50 runs for the Sri Lankans. The ODI series between these two teams begins on January 5.
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