In a thrilling finale to the T20I series at Saxton Oval, Nelson, Sri Lanka he won new Zealand and a narrow margin of seven times. After the Sri Lankan team lost and batted, they showed their batting skills, and Kusal Perera leading up to an impressive century. The tournament, which took place on January 2, 2025, was not a contest of skill but a testament to the courage and determination of both sides.
Sri Lankan explosives
Sri Lanka did well on a pitch that offered good batting conditions. The innings started with a few hiccups as they lost early wickets, including Pathum Nissanka and In Mendi. However, Perera's outburst turned things around for Sri Lanka. He scored an incredible 101 runs in just 46 overs, hitting 13 fours and 4 sixes, which took Sri Lanka to a dangerous level. 218/5 in the 20 parts he distributed.
Kusal Perera has broken history
Perera's performance catapulted Sri Lanka into the tournament and etched his name into the record books. With his T20I century, Perera became the third Sri Lankan to achieve this feat in a T20 match, joining legends like. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene.
Perera's century was historic for several reasons. First, it was Sri Lanka's first T20I century in over 14 years, marking a huge achievement for him and the team. He reached his hundred in just 44 balls, making it the fastest T20I century by a Sri Lankan batsman. This performance not only reaffirmed his status as one of Sri Lanka's best batsmen but also showed his ability to perform under pressure, especially after his team lost two wickets early on. Perera was also adjudged Player of the Match.
Also READ: Comment on Twitter: Mitchell Hay, Jacob Duffy inspire New Zealand to beat Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I.
Pursuit of New Zealand: Sailing
Chasing the target of 219 runningNew Zealand started their innings with promise but quickly found themselves in trouble as wickets fell regularly. Tim Robinson It gave a solid start with 37 runs, but it was Rachin Ravindra who emerged as the backbone of the chase with an impressive knock of 69 off 39 balls. His innings included five boundaries and a six, keeping New Zealand competitive as they chased down the target.
However, the chase did not go well as the wickets continued to fall. Daryl Mitchell tried to revive the innings with an explosive cameo that included six consecutive singles against Charith Asalankascoring 35 runs off just 17 balls. Despite this effort, New Zealand failed to achieve the goal, to finish 211/7 after 20 years.
While Perera's batting was crucial to Sri Lanka's victory, it was Asalanka's fielding that contributed most to the victory. He took three crucial wickets for 50 runs in his four overs, demolishing New Zealand's middle order and putting them on the back foot in the chase. His ability to take wickets in difficult matches turned the tide back in Sri Lanka when it mattered. The match ended with Sri Lanka winning 7 runwhich marks a thrilling end to the T20I series in which they gained pride after losing the first two matches.
Here's how twitter did it:
Kusal Janith Perera made history! 🤩
KJP made history with a beautiful maiden T20I hundred! A popular star is taking to the big stage.🔥
❤️✨🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/l0khcFjchm– ᴅᴀʀsʜᴀ ᴄʜᴀᴍɪᴋᴀ (@Im_Darsha) January 2, 2025
KUSAL PERERA SHOWS SOME FIRSTS IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET IN 2025. 🔥
– Kusal Perera played a magnificent innings of 101 off 46 balls, including
Well played, Kusal Perera! His great batting has helped Sri Lanka avoid a clean sheet. Good luck!#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/dtdG0OY54k
– Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) January 2, 2025
#Srilanka 🇱🇰 : 218/5 (20 overs)#New Zealand 🇳🇿 : 211/7 (20 overs)
Sri Lanka won by 7 runs, New Zealand won the 3 match series 2-1
Player of the match : Kusal Janith Perera (Sri Lanka)
Player of the match: Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)
3rdT20 is #NZvSL 🏏🏆️ pic.twitter.com/wDpnChlo1v– Ishara (@Ishara23032) January 2, 2025
What an exciting game.Sri Lanka cruise past New Zealand with a nail-biting 7-run victory. Kusal Perera stole the show with his 101 from just 46 balls.#SLvsNZ #CricketTwitter
#KusalPera– Mohamad Adnan Nazir (@ADN266) January 2, 2025
Sri Lanka won the last KFC T20I. Rachin Ravindra (69), Tim Robinson (37) and Daryl Mitchell (35) are contributing to Nelson's chase. Get all the scores | https://t.co/UzJ3jpZKSC 📲 #NZvSL #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/6Qj7PyCUpb
BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 2, 2025
First century men's T20I 2025 👏
Kusal Perera brings up his first hundred in just 44 balls pic.twitter.com/sgWfwftyLx
– Jaleel Ahmed (@JaleelA83574057) January 2, 2025
Kusal Janith Perera 🇱🇰 has received 8 'Player of the Match Awards'
– Sri Lankan batsman in T20I history. 👏 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/lLwB3VTRpn
– Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 2, 2025
Kusal Perera scored his first century in 2025.
Hope Rohit and Virat become 2nd and 3rd to do it 😉 pic.twitter.com/GgSXQwWiQd– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) January 2, 2025
Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 7 runs in the 3rd T20I 👊🏏#Cricket #NZvSL #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/ttMsjVKikc
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 2, 2025
Kusal Perera scored his first T20 century at the beautiful Saxton Oval cricket ground against New Zealand. ❤️ #NZvSL #SLvsNZ #KusalPera pic.twitter.com/Aic495vZxB
– U$äMä (@usama_mewati948) January 2, 2025