The final match of the three-match T20I series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was played on January 2nd, with Sri Lanka securing a resounding 7-run victory over New Zealand. Despite this win, Sri Lanka lost the series 2-1.
Sports News: In the final match of the three-match T20I series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by 7 runs. This victory was historic for Sri Lanka, as it marked their first T20I win in New Zealand since 2006. The hero of the match was Kusal Perera, who played a stunning innings, smashing a whirlwind century. Perera's century, the first international century of 2025, set the foundation for Sri Lanka's victory and propelled them to a b total.
Kusal Perera Creates a Special Record
Kusal Perera played a magnificent century for Sri Lanka. He scored 101 runs off 46 balls, including 13 fours and 4 sixes. In the third T20 match against New Zealand, Kusal Perera created history with a blistering innings. He smashed a century off 44 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I century by a Sri Lankan batsman.
He surpassed Tillakaratne Dilshan's record of 55 balls for a century against Australia in 2011. Notably, this was Perera's first T20I century. With this innings, Kusal Perera also became the first Sri Lankan batsman to score over 2000 runs in T20 Internationals.
Sri Lanka Posts a Massive Total
In the third T20 match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Sri Lankan batting lineup posted a formidable 218 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka's batsmen made a good start, but Pathum Nissanka was the first wicket to fall, scoring only 24 runs.
Following this, Kusal Mendis contributed 22 runs off 16 balls, pushing the team forward. Then, Kusal Perera blazed his way to a stunning century, scoring 101 runs off 46 balls, including 13 fours and 4 sixes. Charith Asalanka also played a crucial innings of 46 runs. For New Zealand, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Zachary Foulkes, Mitchell Santner, and Daryl Mitchell each took one wicket.
New Zealand's Middle Order Disappoints
Chasing a massive target of 219 runs, New Zealand made a b start. In the first 7 overs, they reached 80 runs without losing a wicket. However, opening batsman Tim Robinson, despite a quickfire 37 off 20 balls, was dismissed at the score of 80. Rachin Ravindra then played a superb innings of 69 runs off 39 balls, the highest score for his team.
Daryl Mitchell also contributed a quick 35 runs off 17 balls, but the rest of the Kiwi batsmen failed to perform as expected. In the end, New Zealand managed only 211 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. For Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka took 3 wickets and Wanindu Hasaranga took 2.
