8 Wickets For 43 Runs: How Sri Lanka Collapsed In Chase Against New Zealand After Openers’ 121-Run Stand
A late bowling fightback sparked by Jacob Duffy produced a remarkable eight-run victory for New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui on Saturday. Sri Lanka, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis in sparkling form, were cruising towards the 173-run target when they reached 95 without loss at the halfway stage. But in the 14th over, with Sri Lanka 121-0, Duffy changed the game with three wickets in four balls, all caught behind by Mitchell Hay, beginning with the dismissal of Mendis for 46 off 36 deliveries. Nissanka went on to make 90 off 60, which included seven fours and three sixes for his highest T20I score, while no other Sri Lankan reached double figures. The visitors went on to lost 8 wickets in the space of 43 runs with New Zealand pulling off a huge escape. “We should have done better,” was the succinct summary from Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka who was out for three and also dropped a catch. “Pathum and Kusal batted well, the rest including me should …
