Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to win series 1-0

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to win series 1-0

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera scored fifties as Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by eight wickets and take the two-match Twenty20 series 1-0.

New Zealand were sent into bat and scored 7-142 in Pallekele, with the late-order hitting of Luke Ronchi (34 not out) and Nathan McCullum (26) aiding their cause.

Chasing a target of 143, Sri Lanka recovered from the early dismissal of Mahela to reach 143-2 in 17.5 overs. Perera (57) fell to Rob Nicol (1-18 off two overs) with 39 needed, yet Dilshan's unbeaten 59 and 20 not out from Kumar Sangakkara saw Sri Lanka home with 13 balls to spare. The first T20 on Tuesday was abandoned due to rain.