NZ 21/5 in 6.5 Overs (Target 291) | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Live Score Updates of 3rd ODI 2024-25: Asitha Fernando With Two Wickets in Four Balls

The Sri Lankan side is charging in with wickets in quick succession. Asitha Fernando takes two wickets in four deliveries putting the Blackcaps on the backfoot.  What a turn-around by the visitors in the final match of the series. 

Two quick wickets for Sri Lanka with Maheesh Theekasana providing the breakthrough for the side and Asitha Fernando with a banger. New Zealand Openers are back in the pavilion as the Lankan Lions take control of the game early. 

Chasing 291 runs on tricky pitch the New Zealand side will look for a strong start. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra will start the proceedings for the host side. 

A Better batting performance from the visitors who failed to score 200 in earlier matches and now finished the first innings close to 300. Janith Liyanage's explosive batting late in the innings and  Pathum Nissanka, Kushal Mendis' half-centuries put a challenging total on the board.

Out! Another wicket for Matt Henry as he clears Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lankan batters hit some brilliant shots taking on the opposition, but Matt Henry again to the resue for the Kiwis as he picked up dangerous Wanindu Hasaranga. A blistering knock from the right-handed batter comes to an end. Wanindu Hasaranga b Matt Henry 15 (9) 

Out! Chamindu Wickramasinghe looking to clear the boundary finds a fielder in the deep as Sri Lanka loses its sixth wicket. The Lankan side accelarated the inning well with Janith Liyanage playing some eye-catching shots. But now with a few wickets and overs remaining, both sides will look to finish the innings on a positive note.  Chamindu Wickramasinghe c Nathan Smith b Matt Henry 19 (31)

Despite Nissanka, Kushal, and Kamindu Mendis' strong batting performances, no other Sri Lankan batter could counter the Kiwi bowling attack. Slowing down the run rate with wickets in regular intervals allowed New Zealand to keep the score in check.

Out! Thats the end of Nissanka's inning. The batter came back after Mendis' wicket. Once again played some wonderful shots, collecting boundaries on loose deliveries but was clearly struggling with the injury sustained early in the innings. Pathum Nissanka c Nathan Smith b Mitchell Santner 66 (42) 

Out! Again a big wicket for the host side and a blow for Sri Lanka as Kamindu Mendis departs. The left-handed batter looked in control throughout his inning but edges a simple catch to Tom Latham. Matt Henry with the prized wicket. Kamindu Mendis c Tom Latham b Matt Henry 46 (71) 

Just as Sri Lanka is looking for a big partnership, the New Zealand side gets a wicket keeping them in the game. Kamindu Mendis is still at the crease and could prove vital for the Lankan lion's quest for the first win.  

Out! Not what Sri Lanka wanted at the moment as another set batter departs. A good batting performance from Mendis was undone by a soft dismissal as Michael Bracewell took an easy catch off Mitchell Santner's bowling. Captain Asalanka replaces Mendis.  Kushal Mendis c Michael Bracewell b Mitchell Santener 54 (48)

50 For Kushal Mendis! Another great performance from the experienced batter as he completes his fifty in 43 deliveries. After a slow start to their partnership, both batters are now scoring freely. Good support from Kamindu Mendis putting pressure back on the New Zealand side.

A good sign for visitors as Kushal and Kamindu Mendis are now 'middling' the ball well. Kamindu Mendis completes a 50-run partnership with Kushal Mendis with a massive six. Both batters will look to go for big scores now.  

100 Up for Sri Lanka! The second 50 came in 10 overs for Sri Lanka, showing New Zealand's discipline in the bowling. After the departure of Avishka and an injury to Nissanka, the Lankan Lions had to deal with the Kiwi's bowling attack with two new batters in the middle. This slowed down their run rate. 

After losing both openers - one to an injury, Kushal and Kamindu Mendis are looking to form a big partnership in the middle. Both batters showed decent form in recent matches. A lot is dependent on this partnership as the Sri Lankan side is hoping to snap a losing streak against New Zealanders. 

Out! New Zealand gets its first breakthrough as Avishka Fernando hands a catch to Mark Chapman. Avishka never looked at ease today and his innings was brought to an end by Smith. A short of a good length delivery around the middle stump but wasn't short enough for the pull. Avishka took his chance but handed an easy catch. With Nissanka back in the pavilion nurturing his injury sustained an over ago, Sri Lanka now has two new batters in the middle. Avishka Fernando c Mark Chapman b Nathan Smith 17 (33)

50 For Pathum Nissanka! The star opener has been in great form and completes his half-century with a single.  Putting the pressure back on the Kiwis, the right-handed batter smashed some monstrous sixes. His free-flowing batting helped the visitors to put up a decent score in the opening powerplay.

50 Up for Sri Lanka! It's Pathum Nissanka again, batting fearlessly against the Kiwis. The batter has smashed four boundaries and three sixes in his 40-run innings putting the Lankan Lions in a strong position early in the match. Avishka Ferenando is happy to give Nissanka strike at the moment.  

Pathum Nissanka has been Sri Lanka's in-form batter in the series against New Zealand. The right-handed batter is now dealing in boundaries and looking to take over the attack. This will certainly lift some pressure off Avishka Fernando who looked troubled facing Blackcaps pace attack. 

Both openers looking to settle in the middle as Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando are playing against a charged-up bowling attack. The Sri Lankan batting lineup struggled against the quality attack from New Zealand and failed to score 200+ runs in the series so far.