Ross Taylor hit a quickfire 48 to set up New Zealand’s five-wicket prevail upon Sri Lanka in the principal Twenty20 universal against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Sunday.
Taylor lifted the Black Caps from a problematic 39 for three in their pursuit of 175 to finish the success in 19.3 overs and lead the three-coordinate arrangement 1-0.
Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga turned into the most elevated wicket-taker in the briefest organization after his two scalps took his count to 99 of every 74 matches, outperforming Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.
However, his exertion was insufficient as Ross Taylor put on 79 keeps running for the fourth wicket with Colin de Grandhomme, who scored 44, to take the assault to the restriction bowlers.
Taylor, who endure a dropped catch on 31 by Dasun Shanaka at profound mid-wicket off Akila Dananjaya, capitalized on the relief to hit three fours and two sixes in his 29-ball rush.
He was at long last caught lbw off debutant leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who returned figures of 2-21 from his four overs.
Daryl Mitchell, who made 25 off 19 conveyances, and Mitchell Santner, scoring 14, at that point put on an unbeaten 31-run remain to control the Black Caps home.
Malinga, who resigned from Test cricket in 2011 and played his goodbye one-day global in July, bowled Colin Munro in the first over of the New Zealand pursue to approach Afridi’s record of 98 wickets.
The 36-year-old at that point tidied up de Grandhomme, for 44, to accomplish the accomplishment in his 74th T20 match of his distinguished profession.
Prior Kusal Mendis crushed 79 toff 53 balls to help Sri Lanka post 174 for four. Mendis constructed pivotal associations including a 63-run represent the third wicket with Niroshan Dickwella, who made 33.
Opener Kusal Perera made 11 preceding tumbling to Kiwi captain Tim Southee and number-three batsman Avishka Fernando was out for 10 as Sri Lanka slipped to 68 for two.
Mendis held firm to finish his fifth T20 fifty and furthermore went past his past best of 70 in the wake of enduring a dropped catch on 55. Mendis was at last holed out at profound mid-wicket off Southee, who returned figures of 2-20 from his four overs of pace.
The second T20 is planned for Tuesday at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy.