Sri Lanka’s explosive batsman Kusal Perera etched his name into the record books with a blistering 44-ball century, the fastest by a Sri Lankan in T20Is. Perera’s fiery knock of 101 off 46 balls, punctuated with 13 fours and 4 sixes, not only led Sri Lanka to a consolation seven-run victory over New Zealand but also broke Kusal Mendis’ record for the most 50-plus scores by a Sri Lankan in T20Is.
The thrilling encounter in Nelson marked the final match of the series, with Sri Lanka ending on a high after losing the first two games. Let’s dive into how the match unfolded and the records that tumbled along the way.
Kusal Perera’s Century: Luck Meets Brilliance
Perera’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, but it wasn’t without its moments of fortune. Dropped twice on 15 and 60, Perera capitalized on the lifelines to produce a career-best knock. His blistering century came off just 44 balls, surpassing Mendis’ record for most 50-plus scores by a Sri Lankan in T20Is. This was Perera’s 16th 50-plus score in the format.
“I needed a wake-up call to back myself,” said Perera after the match. “The coach told us, ‘once you get a start, you have to finish the game,’ and I was determined to do my best.”
Sri Lanka’s Explosive Start
Electing to bat, Sri Lanka began cautiously before Perera unleashed a flurry of boundaries. He found support from Pathum Nissanka (35 off 28) and Charith Asalanka (38 off 22), building partnerships that kept the momentum going. The visitors posted a daunting 218-5 in their 20 overs.
New Zealand’s bowlers, including Daryl Mitchell (2-40), struggled to contain Perera’s onslaught, with even their typically reliable fielders faltering under pressure.
New Zealand’s Spirited Chase
Chasing a target of 219, New Zealand knew they needed something special to pull off their highest-ever run chase. Openers Finn Allen (48 off 27) and Devon Conway (32 off 20) gave them a strong start, putting on a quickfire 71-run partnership.
However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck back in the middle overs, with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga applying the brakes. New Zealand found themselves needing 60 runs off the last five overs.
Despite some late heroics from Glenn Phillips (41 off 22), New Zealand fell short, finishing at 211-7, handing Sri Lanka a much-needed win.
Key Performances
- Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka):
- 101 off 46 balls, 13 fours, 4 sixes
- Fastest T20I century by a Sri Lankan; broke Kusal Mendis’ record for most 50-plus scores.
- Finn Allen (New Zealand):
- 48 off 27 balls
- Gave New Zealand a flying start but couldn’t convert it into a match-winning knock.
- Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka):
- 2-34
- Crucial middle-over wickets to halt New Zealand’s chase.
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand):
- 2-40 with the ball and key contribution in the field.
Records Broken
- Fastest T20I Century for Sri Lanka:
- Kusal Perera’s 44-ball hundred surpassed the previous record held by Mahela Jayawardene (50 balls).
- Most 50-Plus Scores by a Sri Lankan in T20Is:
- Perera overtook Kusal Mendis with his 16th 50-plus score.
Match Stats
| Statistic | Sri Lanka | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 218-5 | 211-7 |
| Top Scorer | Kusal Perera (101) | Finn Allen (48) |
| Wickets Taken | Theekshana (2) | Mitchell (2) |
| Sixes Hit | 7 | 6 |
Post-Match Reactions
Sri Lanka Captain: “We showed the fight we are capable of. Kusal’s knock was extraordinary, and this win gives us momentum moving forward.”
New Zealand Captain: “Credit to Sri Lanka for the way they played. We had chances but didn’t capitalize. Lessons to be learned.”
Kusal Perera: “I had to back myself and stay aggressive. Breaking records is great, but winning the match was the best feeling.”
FAQs
Kusal Perera scored a record-breaking 101 off 46 balls, the fastest T20I century by a Sri Lankan, helping his team secure a seven-run victory.
Sri Lanka scored 218-5, while New Zealand managed 211-7, resulting in a seven-run win for Sri Lanka.
He hit the fastest T20I century for Sri Lanka (44 balls) and overtook Kusal Mendis for the most 50-plus scores by a Sri Lankan in T20Is.
Kusal Perera for Sri Lanka and Finn Allen for New Zealand stood out with their batting performances.
Conclusion: A Consolation Victory with Record-Breaking Flair
The Sri Lanka vs New Zealand third T20I may have been a dead rubber, but Kusal Perera’s electrifying century turned it into a match to remember. With his record-breaking innings, Perera gave Sri Lankan fans something to cheer about and proved the team’s resilience.
For New Zealand, the loss doesn’t diminish their series win, but it does highlight areas for improvement, particularly in fielding and death bowling.
As the curtains close on this thrilling series, cricket fans will remember this match not just for the records broken but for the fiery spirit of Kusal Perera, a player who reminded everyone why he’s one of the most dangerous batsmen in the game.
Final Score: Sri Lanka 218-5, New Zealand 211-7. Sri Lanka wins by seven runs.
