Sri Lanka have beaten New Zealand by 7 runs in a thriller in Nelson to avoid whitewash on January 2. Kusal Perera's blistering 101 off only 46 deliveries aided the visitors get to a massive 218 on the board. In reply, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson everyone stepped up but couldn’t make the Kiwis win.

Being asked to bat first, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis did have good starts but the duo couldn’t capitalise their starts as they fell earlier on. But Kusal Perera and skipper Charith Asalanka batted with their hearts out and cashed in on the bowlers with aplomb.

Especially, Kusal Perera who kept smashing the Kiwi bowlers ins and outs to score a sensational 101 off just 46 deliveries. The innings was orchestrated by 4 big sixes and 11 boundaries. However, Asalanka too scored a quick-fire cameo of 46 off 24 deliveries and helped thr Lankans get to 218 on the board.

In reply, New Zealand started off to a flier with Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra made merry with the new ball, adding 81 runs inside 7 overs before Tim Robinson departed to Binura Fernando on 37 off 21 deliveries. And then Mark Chapman and Mitch Hay too fell soon after with Rachin scoring a good fifty before being knocked over to Charith Asalanka.

Daryl Mitchell smashed four consecutive sixes off Asalanka but late brilliant bowling from Binura Fernando and Thushara helped the Lankans get a narrow 7 runs victory to avoid whitewash.