Jacob Duffy’s heroics helped New Zealand beat Sri Lanka

Shilpa Rajan January 2, 2025

Jacob Duffy’s exceptional spell in the second innings turned the tide in New Zealand’s favor against Sri Lanka. Despite being on the back foot for most of the first T20I, the Kiwis showed resilience and secured a hard-fought victory. Their determination earned them a well-deserved win in a thrilling contest.

Sri Lankan bowlers dismantle New Zealand’s top order

The visitors decided to bowl and that proved to be the right decision. At the end of four overs, both openers were sent to the pavilion. Binura Fernando took both wickets and held the home team on 32 runs at the end of six overs.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana took three wickets combined. The home team was in a spot of bother. They were five wickets down for just 65 runs with 10 overs remaining.

Mitchell and Bracewell take NZ to a respectable total

Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell stood at the crease for the home team. They were the only two known batters left in the line-up. They had a huge task in hand. Both veterans stood up to the occasion. Mitchell scored 62 runs and Bracewell contributed a quick 59 to take the Kiwis to a respectable total.

New Zealand managed to score 172 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Fernando, Theekshana, and Hasaranga took two wickets each. Matheesha Pathirana managed one wicket but gave away 60 runs in his four overs.

Flying start for the Lankans

The visitors were up against some of the best Kiwi bowlers. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis opened for the Lankan Lions. The duo scored 19 runs in the first three overs. These two then added 36 runs in the next three overs.

The duo pressed on the accelerator and completed a 100-run partnership in 67 balls. Nissanka had completed his half-century by then. These two added 121 runs for the first wicket before Kusal Mendis was dismissed. Jacob Duffy dismissed the wicket-keeping batsman on 46 runs. Sri Lanka needed 52 runs in 39 balls at that stage.

Jacob Duffy’s Match winning over

Sri Lanka was scoring over nine runs per over and the required rate was 7.5 runs per over. On came Jacob Duffy to bowl his third and 14^th over of the innings. He had conceded 15 runs in his first two overs.

Duffy got Mendis caught behind on the third delivery. He then bowled a short delivery to Kusal Perera. The left-hander got out on the next ball in a similar manner to Mendis. Kamindu Mendis came in next and he too nicked the ball behind to the keeper. Duffy took three wickets for just one run and turned the match in his team’s favor.

Henry & Foulkes confirm New Zealand’s win

Pathum Nissanka added a few runs to the team’s total. However, he lost his partner Asalanka to Zakary Foulkes. Matt Henry bowled an important 19^th over. He took two wickets and only gave away six runs. Foulkes bowled an impressive last over to take his team over the line.