Spinners, Charith Asalanka Help Sri Lanka Beat New Zealand By Four Wickets In 1st T20I

Sri Lanka's spinners clipped the New Zealand batters' wings on a turning pitch to help the home team win a low-scoring first T20I by four wickets in Dambulla on Saturday (November 9, 2024). Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana shared six wickets as they bowled out New Zealand for 135 in 19.3 overs. New Zealand fast bowler Zakary Foulkes picked up three wickets in three overs but Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka’s unbeaten 35 — the game’s top score — carried Sri Lanka to 140-6 with an over to spare.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 10 November 2024 10:37 am

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Charith Asalanka

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Charith Asalanka and Danith Wellalage celebrate their win | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Captain Charith Asalanka and Danith Wellalage celebrate their win in the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Sri Lanka's Captain Charith Asalanka plays a shot | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Captain Charith Asalanka plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Wanindu Hasaranga

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga plays a shot | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga plays a shot during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Zakary Foulkes

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: New Zealand's Zakary Foulkes celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

New Zealand's Zakary Foulkes celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Bhanuka Rajapaksa during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Pathum Nissanka

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka bowled out | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka bowled out during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Mitchell Santner

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Captain Mitchell Santner celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Captain Mitchell Santner celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Glenn Phillips | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Glenn Phillips during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Nuwan Thushara

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Sri Lanka's Nuwan Thushara celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Mark Chapman | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Nuwan Thushara celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Mark Chapman during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st T20I Cricket in Dambulla_Danith Wellalage

SL Vs NZ, 1st T20I: Sri Lanka's Danith Wellalage celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Robinson | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Sri Lanka's Danith Wellalage celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Robinson with teammates during the first Twenty20 cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

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