Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand via a Super Over in the opening Twenty20 international yesterday for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series as Charith Asalanka hit a half-century before guiding them home in the tie-breaker.
The tourists comfortably chased down the nine runs needed for victory in the Super Over as Asalanka smashed a six and a four off Adam Milne, after Maheesh Theekshana’s tight bowling restricted New Zealand.
“It was very exciting,” said man-of-the-match Asalanka.
“Two teams playing very nicely, but today was our day.”
Sri Lanka, who were beaten in both the preceding Test and one-day international series by 2-0 margins, earlier posted a commanding 196-5 after being asked to bat with Asalanka smashing a 41-ball 67 and Kusal Perera making an unbeaten 53.
After a shaky start, the hosts rode on Daryl Mitchell’s 66 and Mark Chapman’s 33 before some explosive hitting by Rachin Ravindra, who blasted 26 off 13 balls, took them close to the target.
Ish Sodhi then struck a final-ball six to level the scores and set up a Super Over but New Zealand lost two wickets in the tie-breaker, which hurt their chances of putting up a strong total.

BRIEF SCORES
Sri Lanka 196-5, 20 overs (C. Asalanka 67, K. Perera 53 not out, K. Mendis 25; J. Neesham 2-30)
New Zealand 196-8, 20 overs (D. Mitchell 66, M. Chapman 33, T. Latham 27; D. Shanaka 2-20, W. Hasaranga 2-30)
Super Over:
New Zealand 8-2
Sri Lanka 11-0 off three balls
Toss: New Zealand
Result: Sri Lanka won by two wickets in Super Over
Series: Sri Lanka lead 1-0



Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka plays a shot during the first Twenty 20 international against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. (AFP)