New Zealand have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 with a 45-run win in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Mitchell Hay shone with the bat with his quickfire 41*(19) runs as New Zealand posted 186/5 while batting first. After that, Jacob Duffy did the job with the ball and registered figures of 4/15 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 141 runs in 19.1 overs. With this, the Black Caps have already won the T20I series against Sri Lanka with a game to go.
Batting first, New Zealand lost their first wicket early inside three overs. After that, Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman put up a partnership of 69 runs for the second wicket. Robinson got out after scoring 41(34) runs hitting three fours and two sixes, while Chapman top scored with 42(29) runs hitting two fours and as many sixes. After that, Mitchell Hay gave finishing touched with his unbeaten 41*(19) runs hitting four fours and two sixes. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga took two scalps while Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thusara scalped a wicket each.
Jacob Duffy register figures of 4/15 as Sri Lanka collapse while chasing 187
Coming to chase the winning target, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (10 off 12) added 32 runs for the first wicket in 4.1 overs. After that, Nissanka and Kusal Perera put up a partnership of 39 runs for the second wicket. Nissanka got out after scoring 37(28) runs, while Perera top scored with 48(35) runs. Sri Lanka were 127/3 after 15 overs before the New Zealand bowlers ripped the lower order apart as the visitors lost seven wickets for just 14 runs and were bowled out 141 with five balls to spare.
Fast bowler Jacob Dufffy shone with the ball for New Zealand as he registered match-winning figures of 4/15 in his four overs. Along with him, skipper Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry took two wickets each, while Zakary Foulkes and Michael Bracewell scalped a wicket each.
