NZ vs SL

And that brings us to the end of an exciting third T20I and the series itself. New Zealand take the series 2-1, and while Sri Lanka fought back valiantly in the final game, it was the hosts who clinched the win.

Thank you all for joining us throughout this thrilling T20I series. A special thanks to my co-commentator, Darpan Tikiya, for his insights. We’ll be back on January 5 for the first ODI at Basin Reserve, Wellington. Until then, take care and stay tuned for more cricket action!

This is Meeth Agrawal signing off. See you at the ODIs!

New Zealand win the series 2-1 and Mitchell Santner has been handed the trophy. The Kiwis share a smile and pose with the trophy after a well-deserved series win without some of their regulars. 

After securing the series with two dominant wins at the Bay Oval, New Zealand didn’t let up, but Sri Lanka, to their credit, fought back fiercely in the third T20I to take the game right down to the wire. A clinical performance by Kusal Perera and some inspiring bowling spells gave Sri Lanka something to cheer about, ending the series on a high note.

As we transition into the ODI format, both teams will look to build on the momentum. The first ODI is set for January 5 at the iconic Basin Reserve in Wellington, where the stakes will be even higher as the teams prepare for the Champions Trophy 2025. 

Mitchell Santner [New Zealand captain]: Yeah for sure (Giving credits to Sri Lanka). It was a pretty good surface and they made full use of it in front of a great crowd. Yeah, it's nice to lead the country. Great turnout for three games from the fans. (On the upcoming ODI series) I guess with the way you play is pretty similar. We go and adapt. A lot of positives as we were pretty good in all three games. Youngsters turned up and performed well living up to the challenges.  

Charith Asalanka [Sri Lanka Captain]: I think it is a good win for us. Throughout the series, we have played some good cricket but could not get the win. (On the plan to bring himself on to bowl) I have been bowling a lot in home conditions, not so much in these conditions. But we were a bowler short so I had to. We have to keep the momentum going (into the ODIs). (On Perera's century) Amazing innings. No words for it. 

Jacob Duffy [Player of the Series]: "(I am) very happy. Amazing series win. Awesome to be a part of this and play a part. It is good to keep them under pressure at the death and obviously great batting. Love to mate (On his future in white-ball cricket). It's a huge honor to win games for the country. It's been amazing and you really feel the crowd behind you."

Kusal Perera is the Player of the Match, here is what he has to say: "Whenever I score a hundred, it feels good. When I went out to bat, I did not expect that first ball (that hit him on the helmet). It woke me up. Normally, subcontinent tracks are dominated by the spinners, but here the pacers dominate. In the last two games, a couple of batters got starts but they did not finish the job. Our coach always tells us to finish the job. That is what I tried to do. 

Sri Lanka win by 7 runs. New Zealand clinch the series 2-1. 

Kusal Perera - 101 (46) | Charith Asalanka - 46 & 3/50
Rachin Ravindra - 69 (39) | Daryl Mitchell - 35 & 1/6

What a game, what a thriller! Sri Lanka have pulled off a sensational 7-run victory in the third T20I to avoid the whitewash, but New Zealand take the series 2-1. A fitting finale to what has been a dramatic and high-scoring contest. 

The 22-year-old Zakary Foulkes did all he could in the end to take the Kiwis over the line but fell short at the end. Sri Lanka’s win was built on Kusal Perera’s stunning maiden T20I century, which powered them to a massive 218/6. Perera, dropped early on, made New Zealand pay dearly, hitting 13 boundaries and 4 sixes in his match-winning knock. Captain Charith Asalanka also played a pivotal role with the bat (46), but his real impact came with the ball, as he took three key wickets, including Rachin Ravindra’s scalp.

The chase saw a dominant start from New Zealand, with Tim Robinson leading the charge in the powerplay, scoring at an aggressive rate. But as Sri Lanka pulled back through Binura Fernando’s key breakthrough and Asalanka’s brilliant spell, New Zealand seemed to have lost momentum. Daryl Mitchell, however, had other ideas. His explosive four consecutive sixes off Asalanka brought the Kiwis right back into the game and made it look like New Zealand could pull off the chase.

Yet, just when it seemed Mitchell could turn the tide, Hasaranga struck twice, sending back crucial wickets, and Thushara followed it up by dismissing Mitchell. Sri Lanka’s pacers then closed out the innings effectively, with the tail failing to get New Zealand over the line despite efforts from Mitchell Santner and Zakary Foulkes. 

Asalanka's all-round performance, along with Perera’s heroics with the bat, led Sri Lanka to a memorable victory, while New Zealand's series win remains intact. The visitors will head into the ODI series with great momentum, whereas the hosts would also be happy with their fight in the chase. 

Presentations coming up...

19.6 Binura Fernando to Mitchell Santner, IN THE AIR....lands safe. But it barely matters. Back of a length, outside off. The batter opened his shoulders in an attempt to pull it over midwicket for a maximum. Again, he could barely clear the circle. SL win by 7 runs.

19.5 Binura Fernando to Zakary Foulkes, very full, he cannot get underneath it. The ball races along the turf to the man at mid-off and SL fans have started celebrating. 9 off 1 needed.

19.4 Binura Fernando to Zakary Foulkes, AND HE FINDS MAXIMUM! In the slot. The batter moved back and across to get into position and slammed it over long off with a straight bat. 10 off 2 needed.

19.3 Binura Fernando to Zakary Foulkes, full, wide of the off stump. The batter gets forward and drives it towards sweeper cover. He can only get two for it. NZ rather need boundaries. 16 to win off 3 balls.

19.3 Binura Fernando to Zakary Foulkes, still over the wicket, full, and wide. Foulkes lets it go and the umpire stretches his arms. Pressure! Pressure! 18 to win off 4 balls.

19.2 Binura Fernando to Mitchell Santner, GOES VERY FULL! ALMOST A YORKER! Santner can only get an inside edge and the ball trickles down to short fine leg. 19 off 4 needed.

19.1 Binura Fernando to Mitchell Santner, over the wicket, IN THE AIR.....lands safe. Banged in at back of a length, pace-off. The batter shaped up for the pull and did not catch it anywhere near the sweet spot. Barley cleared the circle.

18.6 Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Santner, pulls it back to a good length, angling across. The batter drags it towards deep midwicket and retains the strike for the final over. 22 to win.

18.5 Nuwan Thushara to Mitchell Santner, EXQUISITE HIT! Attempted yorker that was aimed at the tram line outside off. The NZ skipper reaches across, gets underneath it and pumps it over backward point.