Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 4 wickets to go 1-0 ahead in the two-match T20I series on Saturday (November 9). Dunith Wellalage's brilliant spell of 3 wickets and dual wickets from Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana restricted New Zealand to a paltry 135 runs. In reply, Charith Asalanka's cool innings of 35* off 28 balls helped Sri Lanka seal the match.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand didn't have a solid way to start to their innings as Dunith Wellalage knocked over Tim Robinson cheaply. New Zealand batters couldn’t get runs as as Sri Lankan spinners ripped through the Kiwis top order. Michael Bracewell, however, scored a gutsy 27 off 24 balls, while Zakary Foulkes blasted a quick-fire 27* off only 16 deliveries, which helped the Kiwis get 135 runs on the board.

Dunith Wellalage picked up three wickets, while Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana had two wickets each to help Sri Lanka uplift them.

In reply, Mitchell Santner trapped Kusal Mendis for a five-ball duck. Pathum Nissanka got some boundaries but couldn’t long the innings as he fell to Zakary Foulkes knocked Nissanka out. Kusal Perera too got some boundaries and had 2 boundaries and a six to score 23 off 17 balls. Kamindu Mendis too scored boundaries as he too scored 23 off 16 balls. Sri Lanka's wickets kept tumbling at other ends but skipper Charith Asalanka stood tall one end and scored a fantastic 35* off 28 balls to help Sri Lanka seal the match comfortably.