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Kusal Perera‘s spectacular 101 runs off just 46 balls propelled Sri Lanka to a seven-run victory against New Zealand in the final T20 match in Nelson.
Sri Lanka posted a total of 218 for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs, while New Zealand managed 211 for the loss of seven wickets in their reply.
New Zealand had already secured the series win after victories in the first two matches by eight and 45 runs respectively. Sri Lanka’s middle order struggled in the previous encounters.
Scorecard: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I
Perera’s innings included four sixes and 13 fours, marking the fastest century by a Sri Lankan in T20 internationals.
Perera received two lifelines, being dropped on 15 and 60, before finally being caught by Rachin Ravindra off Daryl Mitchell‘s bowling in the 19th over.
Perera’s innings featured partnerships of 41 runs with Avishka Fernando (17) and a century stand with Asalanka. Asalanka contributed a rapid 46 off 24 balls, hitting five sixes and one four.
Sri Lanka, opening the batting for the first time in the series, had scored 24 runs within the first three overs before Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for 14 runs following a remarkable catch by Mitchell Hay.
Hay’s exceptional catch involved a sprint to the boundary, a throw of the ball in the air before stepping over the boundary, and a return to the field to complete the catch.
New Zealand maintained the required run rate of 11 runs per over for 15 overs, thanks largely to Ravindra’s 69 runs off 39 balls. Tim Robinson added 37 runs off 21 balls, and Daryl Mitchell scored 35 runs off 17 balls, including four sixes in the final over bowled by Asalanka.
Asalanka, a part-time bowler, recorded bowling figures of 3-50, having taken 3-25 in his first three overs.
The two teams will next face each other in a three-match ODI series, starting with the first match in Wellington on Sunday.
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