Sri Lanka-New Zealand T20I series is tied 1-1

In a thrilling, nail-biting finish, New Zealand secured a dramatic 5-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at Dambulla, leveling the two-match series 1-1.

After losing the toss, New Zealand were put in to bat first and were bundled out for just 108 runs. The Kiwis’ innings got off to a rocky start, with opener Tim Robinson dismissed for a duck on the very first ball. The team's highest scorer was fellow opener Will Young, who made 30 runs off 32 balls, including 3 fours.

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga was the chief destroyer with the ball, causing havoc in the New Zealand middle order. The visitors were under immense pressure, losing 6 wickets for just 52 runs, and their innings never truly recovered. Towards the end, captain Mitchell Santner and Josh Clarkson put up a brief resistance, adding 32 runs off 35 balls, which helped the Kiwis push their total past 100. However, no other New Zealand batter could manage a double-digit score.

New Zealand was eventually bowled out for 108 in just 19.3 overs, with Sri Lanka's Hasaranga taking 4 wickets, Mathisa Pathirana claiming 3, and Nuwan Thushara picking up 2 wickets.

Chasing a modest target of 109, Sri Lanka’s batting line-up collapsed like a house of cards from the very start. However, the one bright spot for the hosts was captain and opener Pathum Nissanka, who stood firm at one end while wickets tumbled at the other.

Nissanka forged valuable partnerships, adding 18 runs with Kusal Perera, 29 with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and 20 with Wanindu Hasaranga, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt. With 8 runs needed off the final over and 3 wickets in hand, Sri Lanka still had a chance to pull off the win, with Nissanka still at the crease.

But the game turned on its head in the final over. On the second ball, Nissanka attempted a big shot but was caught by Henry Nicholls. On the next ball, Mathisa Pathirana was run out via a brilliant stumping, giving New Zealand's Glenn Phillips the opportunity to complete a hat-trick. While Phillips did not get the hat-trick, he did dismiss Hasaranga on the fifth ball, securing New Zealand's victory.

In a dramatic final over, Sri Lanka’s batting crumbled, and they were bowled out for 103 with one ball to spare, falling short by just 5 runs. Glenn Phillips and Lockie Ferguson were the stars with the ball for New Zealand, taking 3 wickets each. Ferguson was named the Player of the Match for his pivotal contribution.

This thrilling contest ends with the series tied 1-1, with both teams having showcased their resilience in a contest filled with high drama and suspense.