SL v NZ – 1st ODI: Sri Lanka takes the lead!

Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series against New Zealand, winning the first match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.

Kusal Mendis delivered his personal best ODI performance, scoring 143 runs with 17 boundaries and 2 sixes, while Avishka Fernando contributed a solid 100 runs off 115 balls. Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka added 40 to the total. Jacob Duffy led the New Zealand bowling effort, claiming 3 wickets.

Rain interrupted the Sri Lankan innings at 49.2 overs, with the team at 324/5. After the rain stopped, the match was reduced to 27 overs for New Zealand, with revised target of 221 runs under the DLS method. However, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack ultimately restricted New Zealand to 175/9, securing a 45-run victory (DLS). Dilshan Madushanka claimed 3 wickets while Maheesh Theekshana and Charith Asalanka took 2 wickets each.

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