New Zealand achieved a resounding victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I of the series, held at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on December 30. The hosts won by 45 runs, sealing the 3-match series with a 2-0 lead. Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to take advantage of the conditions. This decision reflected their strategy since the first T20I, where they had also chosen to go first. Captain Charith Asalanka He stressed the need for his batsmen to settle down and avoid mistakes, particularly after the collapse of their previous match when they failed to reach a modest target of 173 runs despite being in a strong position.
New Zealand’s explosive batting display
New Zealand set a formidable target of 186 runs for Sri Lanka, displaying their batting prowess from the start. The innings were characterized by aggressive hitting and fast runs, with several players stepping up to deliver impactful performances. Mark Chapman emerged as a key contributor, scoring 42 runs off 29 balls, including two fours and two sixes. His innings provided stability in the middle overs.
mitchell haywho was later named Player of the Match, electrified the crowd with a blistering 41 runs off just 19 balls. His innings included four boundaries and two sixes, setting up strong momentum for New Zealand. Tim Robinson He also played a crucial role, equaling Hay’s score with 41 runs off 34 balls. The trio’s efforts propelled New Zealand to a competitive total.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers faced challenges throughout the innings. While Wanindu Hasaranga claimed two wickets for 28 runs, Nuwan-Tuchhara and Matheesha Pathirana managed to take a wicket each. Despite some tough moments in bowling, particularly from Hasaranga, New Zealand’s aggressive batting approach kept them ahead.
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Sri Lanka’s struggle with hunting
Chasing a target of 187 runs, Sri Lanka’s innings started promisingly but quickly deteriorated as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Kusal Pereira He emerged as Sri Lanka’s most outstanding player, scoring 48 runs off 35 balls with four fours and two sixes. However, his dismissal marked an important turning point in the party.
Pathum Nissanka He contributed a solid 37 runs off 28 balls, but as wickets fell around him, Sri Lanka found it increasingly difficult to build partnerships. Jacob DuffyThe exceptional bowling proved decisive; he dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up with remarkable figures of four wickets for just 15 runs. matt henry He supported it well by taking two wickets for 31 runs.
Sri Lanka struggled to find rhythm in their chase, falling to 141 in just 19.1 overs. The pressure exerted by the New Zealand bowlers was relentless, ensuring that Sri Lanka never settled into their innings.
With this victory, New Zealand not only secured a victory in the second T20I but also clinched the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. The match showcased New Zealand’s depth in both the batting and bowling departments, while Sri Lanka will need to regroup quickly as they head into the final match of the series in search of redemption after two disappointing performances.
This is how Twitter reacted:
NEW ZEALAND WON THE T20I SERIES vs SRI LANKA..!!!
– A big one for Mitchell Santner as New Zealand Captain. pic.twitter.com/LSiacApy3a
– Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) December 30, 2024
A series victory to start the mandate 😃 pic.twitter.com/ZNP0hY4Xs0
– BLACK CAPS (@BLACK CAPS) December 30, 2024
Duffman has only gone and taken 4 wickets!#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/1pELVtVxK5
-RM Bolton (@RMTBolton) December 30, 2024
Do you miss them? @OficialSLC @sanath07 @upultharanga44 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/IgkhOLjSod
—Mohamed Azam (@MohamedAzam21) December 30, 2024
Comfortable 45 runs win for New Zealand and secure the series #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/SQfLw1zdpY
– #BackTheBLACKCAPS 🇳🇿 (@KW_Fans436) December 30, 2024
Happy end of 2024🖤🔥#Cricket #CricketTwitter #NZvSL #T20 #santner #NZC pic.twitter.com/A3JapCmFqv
– _irfaneyyy_ (@sayedirfan591) December 30, 2024
🇳🇿BlackCaps win the Second T20 by
45 runs at Bay Oval against Sri Lanka🇱🇰.BlackCaps win the series with 1 more game to go.#NZvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/vZbeXLWznx
—Gurjinder Bal (@Gurjind56659796) December 30, 2024
4/15 IN 4 OVERS FOR NEW ZEALAND SCORE JACOB DUFFY AGAINST SRI LANKA. CRAZY 🥶#NZvSL #lost #Don’t stop transmitting #CatchEveryMatch Test #INDvsAUST #RohitSharma #AUSvINDIA #INDvsAUS #AUSvINDIA #RohitSharma𓃵 #ViratKohli𓃵 #JaspritBumrahSara #flight accident #Jaiswal… pic.twitter.com/54f0dHOTBq
—Salar Azam (@salazam51) December 30, 2024
Mitchell Hay wins Man of the Match award 🥇#Cricket #NZvSL #MitchellHay #New Zealand pic.twitter.com/7kLgKG4nja
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 30, 2024
Finally champion well played.
Mitchell Hay💥#NZvsSL
— 🆁🅾🅻🅴🆇ᶜʳⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗᵍᵉᵉᵏ (@RoshanSriram123) December 30, 2024