New Zealand emerged victorious in a nail-biting contest against Sri Lanka, clinching the second T20I of their tour by a mere 5 runs at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. In a game that saw bowlers dominate, both teams struggled to put up significant scores, making it a memorable low-scoring thriller for fans. Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first seemed promising, but New Zealand’s resilience with the ball ultimately sealed the victory, leveling the series.

New Zealand stumbles with the bat

Batting first, New Zealand faltered from the onset as Sri Lankan bowlers applied intense pressure, restricting them to 108 runs in 19.3 overs. Will Young (30 off 32) provided a brief resistance, anchoring the innings alongside Josh Clarkson, who chipped in with a quick 24 off 25 balls, including two sixes. However, no other New Zealand batter managed to reach double figures apart from Mitchell Santner (19 off 24), who offered a crucial contribution in the middle order. Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga stood out, claiming an impressive 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his 4 overs, while Matheesha Pathirana picked up 3 scalps for only 11 runs, ensuring a daunting task for the New Zealand lineup.

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Sri Lanka’s collapse amidst a spirited bowling performance

Chasing a modest 109, Sri Lanka began cautiously but faced an immediate setback with early wickets. Despite Pathum Nissanka’s valiant effort of 52 off 51 balls, including six boundaries, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, failing to maintain partnerships. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (15 off 13) briefly raised hopes for a successful chase, but as wickets continued to tumble, Sri Lanka found themselves in a precarious position. Glenn Phillips led New Zealand’s attack with a sensational spell, taking 3 wickets for just 6 runs in 1.5 overs. Lockie Ferguson also contributed significantly with a brilliant hat-trick in his 2 overs, conceding only 7 runs, while Michael Bracewell and Santner each took key wickets to dismantle Sri Lanka’s batting order.

In a tense finale, Sri Lanka fell short by 5 runs, with their last wicket falling in the penultimate ball of the innings at 103 runs. New Zealand’s disciplined and relentless bowling effort proved decisive in defending a low total and securing a well-fought victory.

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