NZ beat SL by 5 wickets | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match

That's all from this match. Sri Lanka fought well but due to the errors in the field, they failed to cross the line. New Zealand showed great character in spite of a slow start in the chase and would be feeling a lot confident about themselves. The second T20I is on Tuesday, 3rd September, once again in Pallekele. Do join us at 1900 local (1330 GMT) for all the action. Cheers!

New Zealand skipper, Tim Southee starts by saying that the way Daryl Mitchell finished it off was great. Further says that they were also lucky that a couple of shots hit the middle of the bat. Calls it a pleasing win and is excited to win a match like this. Adds that the experienced partnership (between Taylor and de Grandhomme) helped them get back in the match and the young guys then played with freedom at the end. Admits that they would have batted had they won the toss. On his unbeaten record as a captain, Tim replies that it's a great group of guys with good mix of youth and experience and that makes his job easier.

Sri Lankan skipper, Lasith Malinga says that the young players played well having less experience of playing under lights. Credits them for the partnership they built and feels that this is the way forward for the team. Malinga reckons with this side they need to take the opportunities which they failed to take in this game. Adds that they gave away more than 10 in an over for 3-4 overs on the trot which took the match away from them. On the areas of improvement, Lasith tells that the bowlers need to execute their plans better and hone their skills especially for the wet conditions. Further adds that this is the time for them to work on their mental strength.

Man of the Match, Ross Taylor says that they knew it was going to be a tough target, mainly after a slow start. He's satisfied to get a few boundaries that kept the required run rate under check. Praises Daryl and Santner's knocks towards the end. Feels that the over in which Colin de Grandhomme hit Isuru Udana for a four and a six, the momentum started to shift. Admits that they didn't field the way they would have liked to. Mentions that the T20 World Cup is only one year away and they are focusing on it.

A quick interview with Daryl Mitchell who played a key role in this win for New Zealand. He says that they were just looking to have fun and is happy to get his side home. On his first game in Asia, Mitchell replies that it was good fun and he enjoyed every part of it. On facing Malinga, Daryl mentions that he is a world-class bowler and they were just looking to rotate the strike.

For Sri Lanka, it was a dismal bowling performance, however, they started on a bright note. Lasith Malinga once again impressed but his last over which went for 15 runs hurt Sri Lanka in a way. Debutant Wanindu Hasaranga was brilliant in his four overs and snapped a couple of wickets. Two dropped catches of Ross Taylor eventually came back to haunt the Islanders. Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka managed to put up a challenging total on the board all thanks to Kusal Mendis' eye-catching knock and a late flourish from Isuru Udana.

Excellent win for New Zealand to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series. It was an exciting game of Twenty20 with both sides competing hard but the Black Caps held on to their nerves to come out on top. The chase started on a wrong note for the Kiwis as they lost their top three wickets quite cheaply. But then Taylor and de Grandhomme did the rescue job with a 79-run stand off just 38 balls. That partnership brought the visitors on the cusp of victory. Although, the Lankans tried to return in the match by removing both Rosco and Colin, Daryl 'Mitchell' Santner made sure that New Zealand cross the line with 3 balls remaining.

Isuru Udana to Daryl Mitchell. THAT IS IT! Another slower ball on the pads, Mitchell tucks it wide of deep mid-wicket with soft hands and calls for two straightaway. They get it with ease. NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 5 WICKETS!

Isuru Udana to Daryl Mitchell. Brilliant bowling. Slower ball outside off, Mitchell swings his bat at it but misses. Perera dives in front and gathers it. He is quick to get up and save the bye.

Isuru Udana to Mitchell Santner. BYE! Risky run, that! A slower delivery, dropping on a fuller length from the back of Udana's hand. Santner swings early and misses. They attempt for a bye and Mitchell dives at the striker's end as Perera misses the stumps. Would have been a goner in case of a direct hit.

Lasith Malinga to Daryl Mitchell. Full toss on middle, Mitchell drives it straight but the ball gets stuck on Malinga's boot. Mitchell comes out for a single but he's sent back. Lasith has a shy at the keeper's end but it hits Daryl who was putting a desperate dive to get back in. Malinga appeals for obstructing the field but the umpire is unmoved. 3 needed off the last over now.

Lasith Malinga to Daryl Mitchell. SIX! Just over and this probably kills the game. Full on off, Mitchell smashes it over long on. The fielder in the deep thinks he has a chance, he puts in an effort but misses.

Lasith Malinga to Mitchell Santner. Full on middle, Santner comes down the track and strokes it towards long off for one. 9 needed off 8 now.

Lasith Malinga to Mitchell Santner. Good ball but also good running. Full on middle and off, Santner looks to play it straight but the ball goes off the outer half of his bat towards point. They call for two and get it.

Lasith Malinga to Daryl Mitchell. Slower again. This time Mitchell connects and the ball goes towards long on on a bounce for a single. 12 off 10 now.

Lasith Malinga to Daryl Mitchell. Good comeback! Slower ball outside off, Mitchell swings his bat at it but misses.

Lasith Malinga to Daryl Mitchell. FIVE WIDES! Malinga bowls a wild one under pressure. Looks like the ball slipped out of his fingers. Full toss way outside leg, Mitchell swings his bat but misses. Perera dives to his left but cannot stop the ball.

Isuru Udana to Mitchell Santner. Full and on middle, Santner eases it through wide mid on and comes back for the second run. 13 from the over. Going right down to the wire.

Isuru Udana to Mitchell Santner. SIX! This has gone the distance. What a shot under pressure. Santner has done that in the Indian T20 League for Chennai as well. Fullish and right in the slot for the batsman, Santner goes full monty and dispatches it over long on, just over the leaping fielder at the edge of the rope.

Isuru Udana to Daryl Mitchell. NOT OUT! Udana delivers it very full around leg, Daryl tries his best to flick it on the leg side but misses. He is struck on the pads, they appeal but the umpire disagrees. The batsmen cross. Malinga takes the DRS but the Ball Tracker confirms that it pitched outside leg. Get on with the game, 26 needed more off 14 balls.

Isuru Udana to Mitchell Santner. Slants in a very full ball close to off, Santner forces it down to long on for a run. He looks for another single but it's not on.