In a thrilling encounter at the Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand secured victory over Sri Lanka in the third T20I of the series, winning by a remarkable margin. With the toss won by New Zealand, captain Tom Latham opted to bowl, allowing the Black Caps to put pressure on the Sri Lankan batting. The hosts restricted Sri Lanka to a total of 185 runs, significantly bolstered by Kusal Mendis’s impressive 77 runs off 50 balls. Mendis’s innings included seven boundaries and two sixes, ensuring a competitive score alongside his partnerships with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dhananjaya de Silva.
New Zealand’s bowling attack was led by Matt Henry, who took three key wickets for 48 runs, while Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi contributed with two wickets each. In response, the Black Caps showcased their batting prowess, with Devon Conway smashing 79 runs off 50 deliveries, showcasing a flurry of boundaries. Finn Allen also made a significant contribution, scoring 50 runs off 35 balls. The partnership between Conway and Allen was pivotal, propelling New Zealand past the target with an impressive display of batting. New Zealand ultimately finished the match at 189 runs with 10 balls to spare, thus clinching the series 2-1.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming ODI series, where the teams will compete for further glory, with Latham expressing his excitement, stating, ‘It was great to finish the T20 series on a high note, and we’re looking forward to the ODIs.’ This thrilling series highlighted the skills and competitiveness both teams bring to the game, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout the encounters.
