In the final T20 of the year, Sri Lanka’s target was 187 runs. With 60 runs needed off the last 5 overs and 7 wickets in hand, Sri Lanka seemed to be thinking of an “all-out attack.” However, New Zealand’s bowlers turned the tables. Despite needing 12 runs per over, they took 4 wickets for just 13 runs in the next 3 overs!
After that, there was no coming back for Sri Lanka. They were bowled out for 141 in 19.1 overs, losing by 45 runs. With this victory at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand secured a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. The third and final match will take place in Nelson next Thursday.
In the 16th over, Kiwi pacer Jacob Duffy dismissed Kusal Perera, who had made 48 off 34 balls, for just 5 runs. In the next over, Mitchell Santner got Charith Asalanka out for 4 runs (16 balls, 20 runs). In the 18th over, Duffy removed Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, giving away only 4 runs. With 47 runs needed from the final 2 overs, Sri Lanka’s chances of winning became impossible. In the next 7 balls, they lost 3 more wickets for just 1 run and were bowled out. In the 19th over, Matt Henry took 2 wickets in 2 balls, and Zakary Fox completed the job.
Sri Lanka had put up 44 runs with 1 wicket in hand during the powerplay, after losing Kusal Mendis. However, their chase never seemed in control, with Perera’s 48 being the highest score. Pathum Nissanka contributed 37 runs. Despite Duffy’s career-best bowling figures of 4/15, Mitchell Hey was named the player of the match.
Hey played an explosive knock of 41* off 19 balls, with 2 sixes and 4 fours. His innings took New Zealand’s total to 180+, helping them score 62 runs in the final 5 overs. After losing Daryl Mitchell (18 off 15 balls), Hey and Michael Bracewell put together an unbroken 41-run partnership off just 15 balls. Hey’s contribution was 34 runs off 12 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga took 2 wickets for 28 runs, and Nuwan Thushara and Matisha Patirana claimed 1 wicket each.
Match Summary:
New Zealand: 186/5 in 20 overs (Chapman 42, Hey 41*, Robinson 41; Hasaranga 2/28, Thushara 1/25, Patirana 1/37)
Sri Lanka: 141 all out in 19.1 overs (Perera 48, Nissanka 37, Asalanka 20, Mendis 10; Duffy 4/15, Henry 2/31, Santner 2/22)
Result: New Zealand won by 45 runs.
Player of the Match: Mitchell Hey.
Series: New Zealand leads 2-0 in the three-match series.
