Kusal Perera’s century leads Sri Lanka to 7-run win over New Zealand (photos)
Sri Lanka set a massive target of 219 runs, and New Zealand could only manage 211 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs.
KATHMANDU: Sri Lanka secured a consolation victory against New Zealand in the third T20I, thanks to a brilliant century from Kusal Perera.
The hosts, New Zealand, had already won the series after winning the first two matches, but Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 7 runs in this encounter.
Sri Lanka set a massive target of 219 runs, and New Zealand could only manage 211 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs.
Opener Rachin Ravindra top-scored for New Zealand with 69 runs from 39 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes. Fellow opener Tim Robinson made 37 runs off 21 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Daryl Mitchell contributed 35 runs from 17 balls, with 1 four and 4 sixes, while Jack Green Fullerton added 21 not out from 13 balls.
For Sri Lanka, captain Charith Asalanka took 3 wickets, Wanindu Hasaranga claimed 2, and Binura Fernando and Nuwan Tushara each took 1 wicket.
Earlier, Sri Lanka, having lost the toss, batted first and posted 218 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Kusal Perera was the standout performer, scoring 101 runs off 46 balls, with 13 fours and 4 sixes.
His century, completed in just 44 balls, was the first T20I century by a Sri Lankan in 14 years, following Tillakaratne Dilshan’s century against Australia in 2011.
Kusal and captain Asalanka shared a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with Asalanka scoring 46 runs off 24 balls, including 1 four and 5 sixes, before being dismissed. The openers, Kusal Mendis (22), Avishka Fernando (17), and Pathum Nissanka (14), all fell cheaply.
New Zealand’s bowlers Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Jack Green Fullerton, Mitchell Santner, and Glenn Phillips each took 1 wicket.
Having won the first two T20Is, New Zealand won the series 2-1. The two teams will now begin a three-match ODI series on Sunday.
Photos:
