• Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand in the Super Over thriller in the first T20I.

  • It was Sri Lanka's first victory on New Zealand soil in any format since 2015.

Twitter erupts as Sri Lanka seal thrilling Super Over win over New Zealand in the Auckland T20I
Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in the first T20I (Image Source: Twitter)

The first T20I between New Zealand and Sri Lanka turned out to be an absolute thriller as the contest went into the Super Over at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.

With 7 needing on the final delivery, Ish Sodhi smacked a six over mid-wicket to force a one-over decider. However, the hosts couldn’t get the job done, with the Islanders taking a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series, courtesy of Charith Asalanka‘s batting brilliance in the Super Over. Notably, it was Sri Lanka’s first victory on New Zealand soil in any format since 2015.

After being asked to bat, the Lankans managed to post 196/5 in 20 overs, with Asalanka smashing 67 from 41 deliveries, including 6 sixes. Kusal Perera also chipped in with a crucial 45-ball 53-run knock. All-rounder James Neesham was the key bowler for Black Caps as he bagged two wickets.

Chasing 197, New Zealand’s response appeared to be on track, with Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman forming a solid 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, the visitors grabbed some wickets in quick succession, which led to a thrilling finish.

The contest went down to the wire, with the Kiwis needing 13 runs to win in the final over. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka decided to bowl the last over and dismissed Rachin Ravindra for 26 (13), shifting the momentum back in the tourists’ favour. The equation then went down to 7 required, and Sodhi kept his calm, smashing the ball over the boundary rope for a maximum to tie the game.

In the Super Over, New Zealand could only score 8 runs, with Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana bagging a couple of wickets and conceding only one boundary. Then, Asalanka finished the match with a six and a four to register the shortest successful Super Over chase in men’s T20I history

Here is how Twitter reacted:

https://twitter.com/Sakun_SD/status/1642391646179594240

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