New Zealand win by eight runs in first T20I against Sri Lanka

New Zealand staged a remarkable comeback to win the first T20I against Sri Lanka by 8 runs in Mount Maunganui, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The game, which looked to be slipping away from New Zealand for much of the day, turned into a thrilling contest, with the hosts showing incredible resilience to seal the victory.

Sri Lanka seemed to have the match in hand at two key moments: first, when New Zealand was struggling at 65 for 5, and later when Sri Lanka, chasing 173, were cruising at 121 for 0 and needing only 52 runs off 40 balls. However, New Zealand fought back, first through a 105-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell, and then with a stunning bowling effort that saw Sri Lanka collapse from a position of strength to be restricted for 164.

Jacob Duffy played a pivotal role in the turnaround, taking three wickets in one over to spark the collapse, earning him the Player of the Match award. His performance, along with tight bowling from Matt Henry, ensured New Zealand's victory despite Sri Lanka's early dominance.

Sri Lanka looked set to win after an impressive 121-run opening stand between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. After Mendis fell for 46, Sri Lanka still needed just 52 runs off 39 balls with nine wickets in hand, a seemingly straightforward task. However, the game turned quickly as New Zealand’s bowlers made inroads, beginning with Duffy’s stunning over, which saw Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis dismissed in quick succession.

Charith Asalanka’s departure with 28 runs still required from 16 balls raised doubts, and the collapse continued when Nissanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa were dismissed in quick succession. Sri Lanka, needing 19 runs off the last 8 balls, could rely only on Wanindu Hasaranga to strike the boundaries. However, Hasaranga was run out on 5 in the final over, sealing Sri Lanka’s fate.

Sri Lanka's bowlers had dominated the early stages, with Binura Fernando, playing his first T20I in nine months, providing crucial breakthroughs. Fernando was the most effective of Sri Lanka’s seamers, taking the wickets of Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra, and putting pressure on the New Zealand batting line-up. He bowled with control and found movement in the air, helping to reduce New Zealand to a low score of 65 for 5 at one point.

After struggling early on, Mitchell and Bracewell turned the tide for New Zealand with an aggressive counterattack. Bracewell, in particular, took control with powerful strokes, hitting boundaries off Maheesh Theekshana and a huge six off Matheesha Pathirana. The pair added 106 runs between the 10th and 20th overs. Bracewell and Mitchell both brought up their fifties, keeping New Zealand in the game. Despite a late collapse that saw three wickets fall for just three runs in the final over, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 172 for 8.

Matheesha Pathirana had a tough day with the ball, conceding 60 runs from his four overs, including three no-balls. One of those no-balls resulted in Mitchell’s early life, and Pathirana struggled to find an effective length throughout the innings. His performance was in stark contrast to Fernando's controlled bowling and played a part in Sri Lanka’s inability to finish the job despite being in a strong position earlier.

In the end, New Zealand’s spirited fight and Sri Lanka’s late collapse made for an exciting finish, with the hosts emerging victorious by 8 runs.