Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st T20I at Dambulla, SL vs NZ, Nov 09 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

On that note, it's a wrap from us. Fidel's report should be up soon, but there won't be too much time to reflect on this result as these sides play the second and final T20I tomorrow evening, also in Dambulla. So be sure to join us then, but for now, on behalf of Fidel and the rest of the team, this is Madushka signing out!

Adhil : "This is one of those rare instances where POTM was not in the top 10 of the Cricinfo Impact List." --- Yup, and an even rarer instance when that's probably justified.

Charith Asalanka: "[nerves?] Bit of nerves, but my plan was to bat till the end. Thought Wanindu and Wellalage batted really well in the end. [NZ tail?] We could have bowled them out 15-20 runs before. Credit should go to their lower order batters. [left-handers against off spin?] Doesn't matter a lot, all of the guys play spin well. And I think they're getting the right options. They're reverse sweeping, sweeping and playing inside out really well. [combination?] Definitely this is the way we're going forward, hope more to come. [batting well?] That was a plus point for me as a captain, and want to continue it."

Mitchell Santner: "[adjusting to pitches like this?] It's obviously a challenge. I thought we did pretty well to get to 130, it looked like we wouldn't get there halfway through. But credit to the Sri Lankan bowlers, they made it pretty tough. It was a spinning wicket to be fair, but we felt that could defend. But a couple of good knocks take it away from you. [target score] Originally 160, but the dew actually set in more than we thought. It was harder to hold the ball. That might be food for thought for tomorrow. [captaincy] It's always a privilege, and we got a nice exciting young group who are ready to learn. We've got a lot of white-ball cricket coming up so it's a start of a campaign for us. We take our learnings for tomorrow."

Player of the Match goes to Charith Asalanka for his unbeaten 35 off 28

Time of the post-match presentation...

Kusal Perera, who became the highest T20I run scorer for Sri Lanka, spoke to the host broadcaster: "We all knew the wicket was going to do something for the spinners, but 130 wasn't par. The batters still had to work hard. For the powerplay when the ball is new we had to take risks, after that we took ones and twos. When I went, I looked to sweep the spinners."

10.25pm A comfortable win in the end for the Sri Lankans, despite a couple of stumbles along the way. The bowlers set it up with a consummate performance, as a youngish New Zealand batting lineup failed to really get going. They set a middling target, and picked up late wickets to make things tight, but Charith Asalanka played the quintessential captain's knock - unbeaten on 35 off 28 - to see his side through.

Jay Deshpande: "@Malik I still think India will participate in the Champions Trophy, but my gut is that Pakistan will eventually give in and make this a hybrid tournament with games partially played in the UAE. Whatever people may believe about India touring Pakistan, the fact that the details and logistics of the CT have been kept in the dark for so long is unacceptable and disrespectful to the cricket fans wanting to make plans accordingly. The respective bodies need to resolve this ASAP."

7 needed off 12 now. Will this be the final over?

sukant: "nz plot armour activating..."

Malik $H: "Is there any chance of SL making into Champions trophy as India has withdrawn from it..." --- Think the more pertinent question is, is there any chance they hold the tournament without India?

In walks Dunith Wellalage. Is there still time for a twist?

15 needed off 18

Rooty: "@Aarav: It's like Christmas sale that starts in September. It's all business."

around

Supun D: "I love the way how Sanath our all time fav is moulding the SL young blood"

around the wicket

Aarav : "Less than a year and a half to the next t20wc? didn't we just? never mind..."

Okay he's good to go.

It looks to be his left shoulder, where he already seems to have some strapping.

Hasaranga though seems to have hurt himself going for a dive that was unnecessary in the end, as Santner failed to pick the ball up cleanly.

Duffy from around the wicket

Jay Deshpande: "Love watching the way Asalanka has calmly guided the chase for Sri Lanka so far. The maturity he has shown is a really good sign for the team's middle order with less than a year and a half to go before the 2026 T20 World Cup. "

SL well ahead of the rate here, and both these batters seemingly happy to see the game through sensibly