MOUNT MAUNGANUI:
New Zealand clinched the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka with a dominant 45-run victory, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match remaining. Jacob Duffy’s brilliant bowling and Mitchell Hay’s explosive cameo with the bat were key to the win.
Batting first, New Zealand posted 186-5, with Hay smashing an unbeaten 41 off 19 balls. In reply, Sri Lanka could only muster 141, with Duffy taking 4 wickets for just 15 runs, including the scalps of Kusal Perera (48) and Pathum Nissanka (37).
New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, praised Duffy’s consistent wicket-taking ability, saying, “Every time I bring him back, he gets a wicket.” Sri Lanka’s chase fell apart as they lost their last seven wickets for just 14 runs, a collapse triggered by Duffy’s key breakthroughs.
Sri Lanka struggled to adapt to the bouncy New Zealand pitches, with captain Charith Asalanka acknowledging the challenge. Despite their best efforts, Sri Lanka’s attack couldn’t contain Hay’s late hitting spree, which lifted New Zealand to a challenging total. Hay, looking to redeem himself after a duck in the opening game, turned the game in New Zealand’s favor, helping them score 43 runs in the final 18 balls.
New Zealand’s win builds on their eight-run victory in the previous game, giving them an uncatchable lead in the series.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE