A late bowling resurgence led by Jacob Duffy secured a narrow eight-run victory for New Zealand against Sri Lanka. Duffy's three wickets in four balls changed the game as Sri Lanka, chasing 173, collapsed from 121-0 to 164-6.

New Zealand got to a decent score of 172 runs against Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, December 28 riding on the 105-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first T20I being played at Mount Maunganui. New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell,