Kusal, Asalanka star as Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 7 runs

Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by 7 runs in the third T20I at the Saxton Oval in Nelson on Thursday (02).

Kusal Perera scored his maiden T20I hundred while Charith Asalanka picked 3 wickets and also scored 46 runs for the team.

New Zealand skipper opted to bat first in two matches but he asked the visitors to take the first strike.

The hosts got off to a good start as Matt Henry removed Pathum Nissanka on 14 runs while Santner dismissed Kusal on 22 runs.

After losing the two wickets in the first six overs, Perera along with Avishka Fernando stabilised the Sri Lankan innings and stitched a 41-run partnership for the third wicket.

Jacob Duffy removed Avishka Fernando on 17 runs but Perera and Asalanka forged another 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Perera scored 101 runs off 46 deliveries with the help of 13 boundaries and four maximums while Asalanka also scored 46 runs off 24 balls to set 219 runs target for the Kiwis.

Mitchell Santner and Co. won the three-match T20I series by 2-1.