Sri Lanka down New Zealand in first T20I: Key stats
Sri Lanka downed New Zealand in the first T20I held at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla. A cliinical bowling show helped the hosts bundle out the Kiwis for 135. Dunith Wellalage claimed 3/20 whereas Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana managed two scalps each. In response, Sri Lanka chased down the 136-run target to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
New Zealand innings summary
New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular junctures and were reduced to a score of 96/8. Zakary Foulkes's 16-ball 27* helped NZ get to 135 in the end. Earlier, Michael Bracewell chipped in with 27. For Lanka, Wellalage was superb, managing 3/20 from 3.3 overs. Hasaranga was economical, registering 2/20 from his four overs alongside Theekshana, who claimed 1/21 from his 4 overs.
Key numbers for the Lankan bowlers
Hasaranga's two scalps saw him get to a tally of 121 scalps at just 15.72. In 8 games versus NZ, he owns nine scalps at 22.22. Overall, he owns 283 scalps in the 20-over format. Wellalage's 3/20 takes him to 52 T20 scalps, including six for SL. Thushara's 2/14 from 3 overs saw him get to 146 T20 scalps, including 21 for SL.
Theekshana and Pathirana impress
Theekshana now owns 188 T20 scalps, including 55 for SL. On the other hand, Pathirana (2/29) now owns 104 scalps, including 24 for SL.
Sri Lankan innings summary
SL lost Kusal Mendis early on (3/1) before Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera added 40 runs. Both players fell in quick succession. Kamindu Mendis (23) got a start but fell thereafter as Bhanuka Rajapaksa (4) departed to leave the home team at 87/5. Hasaranga joined Charith Asalanka in the middle and the two built a decent stand which helped Lanka seal the deal.
Kusal Perera surpasses 1,900 runs for SL
Perera has become the first Sri Lankan batter to go past 1,900 runs. Perera, who hit 23 from 17 balls, owns 1,904 runs at 27.59. Overall, he owns over 4,200 runs in the 20-over format.
Asalanka chips in with a captain's knock
Asalanka helped the Lankans, leading from the front with a stunning 35* from 28 balls. He smashed one four and two sixes. Asalanka has raced to 1,178 runs from 54 matches at 25.06.
