SL vs NZ Head To Head Ahead Of The 1st T20

New Zealand and Sri Lanka will meet in the 1st T20 (X - @BLACKCAPS/@OfficialSLC)New Zealand and Sri Lanka will meet in the 1st T20 (X - @BLACKCAPS/@OfficialSLC)

The stage is set as Sri Lanka and New Zealand cross swords with one another in the first T20 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on 8 November, Friday. 

Sri Lanka had a successful run at home against both New Zealand and West Indies. Having defeated the Kiwis in both the Tests, the Lankan Lions came out on the top, however, that was only the beginning. Following that up, Sri Lanka defeated Shai Hope- led West Indies in both the ODIs and T20s. Going forward they would hope to bring their A-game as they meet the BlackCaps once again.

On the other hand, New Zealand did face a loss in the Test series, but they held themselves together very well as they managed to whitewash India at home by back to back mind-blowing performances. In fact, NZ's T20 skipper, Mitchell Santner, registered his best ever figures in Test cricket during the second Test at Pune where he picked a shining 10-wicket haul. The Kiwis must be full of confidence and would be ready to give Sri Lanka a tough fight at their home.  

While the two prepare to meet each other, let's take a look at their head-to-head record:

SL vs NZ Head-to-Head in T20s

Stats
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
Matches Played
23
23
Matches Won 913
Matches Lost 139
No Result 11
Win % 39.1356.52

In T20 internationals, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have faced each other 23 times. Sri Lanka has won 9 of those encounters, while New Zealand has emerged victorious in 13, giving them a win percentage of 56.52%. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has a win percentage of 39.13%. There has been 1 match with no result for both teams.

SL vs NZ Head-to-Head in Sri Lanka

Stats
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
Matches Played 88
Matches Won 24
Matches Lost 42
No Result22

In T20 encounters played in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have faced each other 8 times. Sri Lanka has won 2 of those matches, while New Zealand has won 4, giving them a win percentage of 50%. There have been 2 no-result games for both teams. 

SL vs NZ Head-to-Head at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium

At the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have not faced one another and the upcoming 1st T20 will be the first time the two will clash at this venue.

SL vs NZ: What happened when they last played T20?

In their last encounter, New Zealand sealed thriller 2-1 T20I series win after winning the third match by 4 wickets in the last ball of the game. Tim Seifert starred with his 88 runs knock from New Zealand. 

Sri Lanka’s openers Kusal Mendis (73) and Pathum Nissanka (25) provided a strong foundation, with Mendis leading the charge. New Zealand’s chase began well with 53 runs in 5.3 overs, but wickets fell regularly, including key dismissals of Tom Latham and Seifert. Tension mounted, but Rachin Ravindra held his nerve, scoring the winning runs in a nail-biting finish.