A winning start for Sri Lanka is provided by Asalanka bowlers.
Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead at Dambulla thanks to Charith Asalanka's undefeated 35 in a challenging chase after his bowlers had worked well together to take advantage of the conditions that provided plenty of spin. Before Zakary Foulkes assisted the visitors in reaching a respectable score, Asalanka's spin trio—Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana—collected six wickets between them to consistently batter New Zealand. Sri Lanka's chase was made more difficult by New Zealand bowlers, but not enough to effectively defend their score. The early beneficiary of the aforementioned change was Wellalage, who began by hitting Tim Robinson of New Zealand in his opening over.
With Maheesh Theekshana trapping Will Young LBW and Nuwan Thusara dismissing Mark Chapman in the fourth over, New Zealand suffered two more defeats within the PowerPlay.
The early beneficiary of the aforementioned change was Wellalage, who began by hitting Tim Robinson of New Zealand in his opening over. With Maheesh Theekshana trapping Will Young LBW and Nuwan Thusara dismissing Mark Chapman in the fourth over, New Zealand suffered two more defeats within the PowerPlay.
Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips tried to continue after the PowerPlay, but they were only successful until the ninth over, when an incorrect 'un from Hasaranga trapped Phillips leg before. When rookie Mitch Hay gave Mathesha Pathirana his maiden wicket by nicking one behind in the tenth over, New Zealand lost their sixth. In his subsequent over, Josh Clarkson top-edged a short ball to Kamindu Mendis at fine leg, giving the fast bowler another. Bracewell kept swinging his bat to push New Zealand ahead, but Thushara caught him in his tracks in the 15th over. The visitors were battling at 96/8 when Mitchell Santner was stumped in the 16th, becoming yet another victim of Hasaranga's googly.
Then, with a crucial 39-run partnership, Foulkes and Ish Sodhi helped the team over 100. As New Zealand posted 135/9 in 20 overs, Foulkes finished undefeated on 27 off 16, providing their bowlers with a target on a challenging surface.
The New Zealand bowlers appeared to have enough to work their magic at various points during the chase, but ultimately failed. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera responded with 38 runs in three PowerPlay overs to start the chase after Santner removed Kusal Mendis in the second over. When the pacer was added as well, Nissanka attempted to derail Foulkes, but in the sixth over, his stumps were disturbed. Bracewell then put Sri Lanka at 55/3 after trapping Perera in the seventh.
Once more, Sri Lanka teed off just as it appeared like New Zealand may regain some control. This time, it was their skipper Charith Asalanka, who took his side to 78/3 in 10 overs with two sixes, one over long-off and one over mid-wicket. When Kamindu Mendis mishit a half-tracker to Ish Sodhi, who came forward from short third to grab a catch, Glenn Phillips lucked out with a wicket, sending the tide swinging wildly once again. After taking out Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the next over, Foulkes further tightened the screws, putting Sri Lanka five runs down.
Then, despite Hasaranga being removed in the 18th over for a 23-ball 22, he and Asalanka stitched a partnership that assured the outcome. Wellalage tonked Sri Lanka with a four and a six in the penultimate over, leaving just seven of the last 12 needed.
Brief Scores: New Zealand lost against Sri Lanka 140/6 in 19 overs (Charith Asalanka 35*; Zakary Foulkes 3-20) by 4 wickets after scoring 135 in 19.3 overs (Michael Bracewell 27, Zakary Foulkes 27*; Dunith Wellalage 3-20, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-20, Nuwan Thushara 2-14, Matheesha Pathirana 2-29).
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