Perera ton gives Sri Lanka their first T20I win in New Zealand since 2006

In the end Sri Lanka did enough. That’s not something you’d expect to say about a team that had racked up 218 runs in their first innings, but it speaks towards just how well New Zealand had set about their chase for most of the innings.

Indeed, for about 15 overs of the chase New Zealand were keeping up with the nearly 11-an-over required rate, and when Daryl Mitchell struck Charith Asalanka for four consecutive sixes in a 25-run 15th over they might have even been ahead.

Sri Lanka then thought they had done enough with a couple of wickets at the death, before Zachary Foulkes’ final-over fireworks provided yet another scare. But despite frayed nerves, Sri Lanka held on to close out a consolatory seven-run win – their first in New Zealand since 2006.

It was a victory setup largely by Kusal Perera’s maiden T20I ton, the fastest ever by a Sri Lankan, coming off just 44 deliveries. Having entered inside the powerplay, he fell with less than two overs left in the innings, and such was the impact of his innings even a run-a-ball final two overs couldn’t prevent Sri Lanka from registering their second highest T20I total ever.

Asalanka also played a starring role – despite the treatment meted out by Mitchell – backing up his 46 off 24 with the bat with a three-wicket haul that derailed New Zealand’s well-planned chase. He also took a scorcher of a catch at extra cover to cap an impressive outing. There was however no looking beyond Perera for the player of the match award.

Jacob Duffy, a thorn in Sri Lanka’s side throughout the series, picked up just the solitary wicket this time round, although his economy rate of 7.50 was still the best of any bowler that bowled at least two overs in the game. He was deservedly named player of the series.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 218 for 5 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 101, Charith Asalanka 46, Kusal Mendis 22; Matt Henry 1-47, Jacob Duffy 1-30, Zakary Foulkes 1-52, Mitchell Santner 1-36, Daryl Mitchell 1-06) beat New Zealand 211 for 7 in 20 overs (Rachin Ravindra 69, Tim Robinson 37, Daryl Mitchell 35, Zakary Foulkes 21-; Charith  Asalanka 3-50, Wanidu Hasaranga 2-38, Nuwan Thushara 1-33, Binura Fernando 1-43) by 7 runs

[Cricinfo]