NZ vs SL 2nd T20I Highlights: Ferguson’s Hattrick Stages New Zealand's Dramatic 5-Run Win
![New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs in last ball thriller T20I [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1731260231053_NZ_SL_T20I.jpg?im=Resize=(650,450))
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs in last ball thriller T20I [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]
In an absolute thriller, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs in the 2nd T20I to tie the 2-game series 1-1. With just 108 runs to defend, Lockie Ferguson produced a hattrick to instil fear in the Sri Lanka batting lineup. Glenn Phillips did the rest to take 3 wickets in the final over as the hosts fell 5 runs short in a nominal chase.
Here's how the NZ vs SL 2nd T20I panned out in Dambulla
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NZ vs SL Highlights: Hasaranga terrorises Kiwis
New Zealand were asked to bat first by Sri Lanka, and Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana completely wreaked havoc with the ball. Tim Robinson was bowled by Thushara on the very first delivery of the game. He struck again to get Mark Chapman in the 3rd over.
Hasaranga was handed over the ball after the powerplay, and he bowled Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell in the same over. While Phillips was deceived with a googly, Bracewell failed to read the spin of the ball after it hit the deck. Another classic legreak got the better of Mitch Hay and the Kiwis were down 5 wickets with just 45 runs on the board.
NZ vs SL Highlights: New Zealand bowled out for 108
Matheesha Pathirana then joined the party to eliminate the tail. He deceived Santner with a slower ball that led to a thick edge into the hands of Wellalage. Pathirana used the same trick to dismiss Foulkes and, lastly, cleaned up Clarkson with a peach length delivery. The Kiwis were bowled out for just 108 runs in 19.3 overs.
NZ vs SL Highlights: Lockie Ferguson bags a hattrick
With just 108 runs to defend on the board, New Zealand needed a heroic effort from their bowlers, and Lockie Ferguson understood the assignment. He clinched a sensational hattrick to leave Sri Lanka stunned at 34/4. On the final ball of his 6th over, Lockie forced an edge from Kusal Perera with a fierce yorker. A review confirmed a clean catch, and Lockie had his breakthrough.
He continued his spell in the 8th over and beat Kamindu Mendis with sheer pace. Mendis was trapped LBW on the front pad. For Asalanka, Lockie Ferguson pushed his length to full and pitched it on leg stump. The Sri Lankan skipper miscued a flick shot as an inside edge was plucked by Mitch Hay. Asalanka burned a desperate review on his way back, and Ferguson was awarded his well-deserved hattrick.
NZ vs SL Highlights: Sri Lank lost a thriller by 5 runs
Lockie Ferguson added life to the game and Sri Lanka succumbed under pressure. With 8 needed off the final over, Glenn Phillips struck twice to reduce the asking rate to 6 off 2. Theekshana, the last man standing, top-edged a slog sweep, and Mitch Hay plucked a safe catch to bowl out Sri Lanka for 103 runs as the hosts fell short of just 5 runs in a marginal chase. With that thrilling finish, New Zealand avoided a series defeat and tied the 2-game series 1-1.
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