New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I Match Summary

Right then, that's all from this game. Sri Lanka have taken the lead in the three-match T20I series and will now look to seal the series with a win in the next game. On the other hand, New Zealand will look to bounce back and take the series to a decider. The second T20I of the series will take place on Wednesday, 5th of April at the University Oval in Dunedin. The first ball will be bowled at 6.30 am IST (1.00 am GMT). As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Charith Asalanka is the Player of the Match for his brilliance with the bat for Sri Lanka.

Earlier in the game, after Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl first, the visitors lost Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball of the game. Sri Lanka did lose two more wickets inside the Powerplay but it did not deter Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka. Both batters kept finding the boundaries at will and ensured that the visitors stayed ahead in the game. The visitors did seem to lose their way towards the end but Wanindu Hasaranga struck a few lusty blows to take Sri Lanka to 196. With the ball, James Neesham was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with two wickets while Adam Milne, Benjamin Lister and Henry Shipley accounted for one wicket each.

Having finished well with the bat, Sri Lanka took that momentum into their bowling effort. Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka both struck inside the first two overs and put New Zealand in early trouble. In the middle overs, they were blown by the onslaught mainly from Daryl Mitchell. Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel at one point in the chase but they clawed their way back into the game by picking wickets at regular intervals and bowling some quiet overs. Dasun Shanaka took matters into his own hands to defend 12 runs in the final over but ended up conceding a six on the last ball against Ish Sodhi. It did not prove to be fatal as Maheesh Theekshana bowled a phenomenal Super Over and restricted New Zealand to 8 runs. While chasing, the star with the bat for Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka sealed the deal with 3 balls to spare.

Coming to the action before the Super Over, in their pursuit of 197, New Zealand were rocked early losing both openers inside the first two overs. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham then got together and steadied the ship with a 63-run stand. The dismissal of Latham pegged the hosts back a bit but Mark Chapman joined hands with Mitchell to ensure that New Zealand did not lose their way. After the departure of both set batters, New Zealand were in a spot of bother but Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham kept New Zealand in the game. The former was dismissed in the final over but Ish Sodhi stepped up and hit a six on the final ball to take the game to a Super Over. Batting first in the Super Over, the visitors sent Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham to open the innings but neither of them could not inflict any damage and New Zealand ended their innings with 8 runs on the board courtesy of Mark Chapman's boundary on the 5th ball. With the ball, Adam Milne was given the tough task but he could not defend the total.

What a game we witnessed at Eden Park. The game ebbed and flowed throughout but it was Sri Lanka who emerged victorious. The visitors register their first win on the tour of New Zealand and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. On the other hand, it was a case of 'so near yet so far' for New Zealand but have only themselves to blame.

NO BALL AND FOUR! THAT'S IT! Charith Asalanka gets Sri Lanka over the line in the Super Over! Adam Milne bowls it short and pace on, around off, Charith Asalanka waits for the ball and ramps it over the leaping Tom Latham behind the wicket for a boundary. To make matters worse for New Zealand, Adam Milne had overstepped.

SIX! That should do it for Sri Lanka! Adam Milne goes slower again and bowls it touch fuller on leg, Charith Asalanka clears his front leg and heaves it high in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Mark Chapman stationed there seemed interested for a moment but the ball goes out of his reach.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a good length, Kusal Mendis knocks it down to long on for a single.