In a gripping conclusion to the T20I sequence at Saxton Oval, Nelson, Sri Lanka emerged victorious towards New Zealand by a slim margin of seven runs. After shedding the toss and being put to bat, the Sri Lankan staff showcased their batting prowess, with Kusal Perera main the cost with a spectacular century. This match, held on January 2, 2025, was not only a contest of ability but additionally a testomony to resilience and dedication from each side.
Sri Lanka’s explosive innings
Sri Lanka capitalized on a pitch that supplied good batting circumstances. The innings started with a couple of hiccups as they misplaced early wickets, together with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Nevertheless, Perera’s explosive efficiency turned the tide for Sri Lanka. He scored an astonishing 101 runs off simply 46 deliveries, hitting 13 fours and 4 sixes, which propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable whole of 218/5 of their allotted 20 overs.
Kusal Perera smashes a historic century
Perera’s exceptional efficiency led Sri Lanka to a aggressive whole but additionally etched his identify within the file books. Scoring his maiden T20I century, Perera grew to become the third Sri Lankan to realize this milestone in T20 internationals, becoming a member of the ranks of legends like Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene.
Perera’s century was historic for a number of causes. Firstly, it marked the primary T20I century for Sri Lanka in over 14 years, showcasing a big achievement for each him and the staff. He reached his hundred in simply 44 balls, making it the quickest T20I century by a Sri Lankan batter. This efficiency not solely reaffirmed his standing as one among Sri Lanka’s premier batters but additionally highlighted his capacity to carry out below strain, particularly after his staff had misplaced two early wickets. Perera was additionally adjudged because the Participant of the Match.
Additionally READ: Twitter reactions: Mitchell Hay, Jacob Duffy propel New Zealand to a series-clinching victory over Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I
New Zealand’s chase: A rollercoaster journey
Chasing a goal of 219 runs, New Zealand began their innings with promise however shortly discovered themselves below strain as wickets fell at common intervals. Tim Robinson supplied a strong begin with 37 runs, nevertheless it was Rachin Ravindra who emerged because the spine of the chase together with his spectacular knock of 69 runs off 39 balls. His innings featured 5 boundaries and 4 sixes, preserving New Zealand in rivalry as they raced in the direction of the goal.
Nevertheless, the chase faltered as wickets continued to tumble. Daryl Mitchell tried to revive the innings with an explosive cameo that included 4 consecutive sixes in a single over towards Charith Asalanka, scoring 35 runs off simply 17 balls. Regardless of these efforts, New Zealand fell wanting the goal, ending at 211/7 after their 20 overs.
Whereas Perera’s batting was pivotal for Sri Lanka’s whole, it was Asalanka’s bowling efficiency that performed an important function in sealing the victory. He claimed three key wickets for 50 runs in his 4 overs, dismantling New Zealand’s center order and placing them on the again foot throughout their chase. His capacity to take wickets at crucial junctures shifted momentum again in the direction of Sri Lanka when it was most wanted. The match concluded with Sri Lanka clinching victory by 7 runs, marking an exhilarating finish to the T20I sequence the place they salvaged delight after shedding the primary two matches.
Right here’s how twitter reacted:
Kusal Janith Perera created historical past! 🤩
KJP makes historical past with a stunning maiden T20I hundred! An skilled star rising on the large stage.🔥
❤️✨🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/l0khcFjchm— ᴅᴀʀsʜᴀ ᴄʜᴀᴍɪᴋᴀ (@Im_Darsha) January 2, 2025
KUSAL PERERA SMASHED THE FIRST HUNDRED IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET IN 2025. 🔥
– Kusal Perera performed an magiferet innings of 101 off 46 balls, together with
Nicely performed, Kusal Perera! His excellent batting effort has helped Sri Lanka keep away from a whitewash. Congratulations!#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/dtdG0OY54k
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) January 2, 2025
#Srilanka 🇱🇰 : 218/5 (20 ov)#NewZealand 🇳🇿 : 211/7 (20 ov)
Sri Lanka received by 7 runs, New Zealand received the three match sequence 2-1
Participant of the match : Kusal Janith Perera (Sri Lanka)
Participant of the sequence : Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)
3rdT20I #NZvSL 🏏🏆️ pic.twitter.com/wDpnChlo1v— Ishara (@Ishara23032) January 2, 2025
What an exhilarating match.Sri Lanka edges previous New Zealand with a nail-biting 7-run victory. Kusal Perera stole the present with a blistering 101 off simply 46 balls pure masterclass.#SLvsNZ #CricketTwitter
#KusalPerera— Mohamad Adnan Nazir (@ADN266) January 2, 2025
Sri Lanka take the win within the closing KFC T20I. Rachin Ravindra (69), Tim Robinson (37) and Daryl Mitchell (35) contributing to an in depth chase in Nelson. Atone for all scores | https://t.co/UzJ3jpZKSC 📲 #NZvSL #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/6Qj7PyCUpb
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 2, 2025
The primary males’s T20I century of 2025 👏
Kusal Perera brings up his first hundred within the format off simply 44 balls pic.twitter.com/sgWfwftyLx
— Jaleel Ahmed (@JaleelA83574057) January 2, 2025
Kusal Janith Perera 🇱🇰 has earned 8 ‘Participant of the Match awards’
– Essentially the most by any Sri Lankan participant in T20I historical past. 👏 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/lLwB3VTRpn
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 2, 2025
Kusal Perera scored the primary century of 2025.
Hope Rohit and Virat turns into the 2nd and third ones to do it 😉 pic.twitter.com/GgSXQwWiQd— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) January 2, 2025
Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by 7 runs within the third T20I 👊🏏#Cricket #NZvSL #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/ttMsjVKikc
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 2, 2025
Kusal Perera scored his maiden T20 century on the lovely Saxton Oval cricket floor towards New Zealand. ❤️ #NZvSL #SLvsNZ #KusalPerera pic.twitter.com/Aic495vZxB
— U$äMä (@usama_mewati948) January 2, 2025
