A late bowling display sparked by Jacob Duffy produced a remarkable eight-run win for New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui on Saturday. Sri Lanka, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis in sparkling form, were on their way to 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 turned the game around with three wickets in four balls, all caught behind by Mitchell Hay, starting with the dismissal of Mendis for 46 off 36 deliveries.
Nissanka went on to make 90 off 60, including seven fours and three sixes for his highest T20I score, while no other Sri Lankan reached double figures.
The visitors went on to lose 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 of Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka, who was out for three and also dropped a catch.
“Pathum and Kusal batted well, the rest, including myself, have to take responsibility for this loss.”
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said Duffy changed the game with his 3-21 after the home side reached 172-8 in their 20 overs, with the innings supported by a century stand from Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.
The pair came together in the 10th over, with New Zealand struggling at 65-5 and scoring 105 before both were dismissed in the final.
Mitchell was stunned for 62 off 42 deliveries, while Bracewell was caught behind for 59 off 33.
“It was a huge partnership for us, the way they went about it, they let it sink in for a while and then put the pressure back on to put up a pretty good score,” Santner said.
Binura Fernando, who dismissed both New Zealand openers in his second over, finished with 2-22.
Tim Robinson was caught and bowled for 11 when he drove a short delivery straight back to the bowler.
Three balls later, Rachin Ravindra, on eight, picked an outswinger and fell behind.
Mark Chapman, dropped on four, reached 15 before being caught on the boundary by Kamindu Mendis off the bowling of Matheesha Pathirana.
Glenn Phillips had made eight of nine deliveries when trapped in front and Mitchell Hay got the first ball when he played and missed a delivery that drifted into the pads.
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