New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be eyeing a winning start to the Twenty20 International series when they lock horns against each other in the first game of the three-match series at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui today commencing at 11.45 am ( Sri Lanka time ) The Sri Lanka series will be New Zealand’s second home T20I series and they will be looking to win it. In the first Twenty20 International series of the year at home earlier this year, the Black Caps suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Australia.
Sri Lanka are vying for their maiden Twenty20 International series win in New Zealand. The two countries have clashed in only two series comprising three-plus matches in New Zealand (2019 and 2023), both won by the home side. New Zealand and Sri Lanka have locked horns in 25 Twenty20 Internationals as of now.
The Kiwis lead the head-to-head record 14-8, while one match was washed out.Notably, two matches were decided via the Super-Over method.New Zealand have a 6-1 lead over Sri Lanka at home.
Sri Lanka started the tour in promising fashion by winning both warm-up games. In the first warm-up game against a New Zealand XI, Lanka registered a 7-wicket win. The visitors bowled out the home side for just 94 runs and chased down the total inside 11 overs.
In the second warm-up game against the same side, Lanka registered a 32-run win. Sri Lanka posted a big total of 128/2 in the allotted 10 overs before restricting New Zealand XI to 96/2. Sri Lanka had successful training sessions d.