After getting bundled out for only 108 runs against the Sri Lankan bowling attack, the Black Caps put up an amazing fight and successfully defended the low target at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
One of the biggest contributors in the Kiwis’ 5-run victory was pacer Lockie Ferguson, who picked up a hat-trick to break the backbone of the Sri Lankan batting order.
Ferguson sent back Kusal Perera on the final ball of the sixth over and then went on to dismiss both Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka off back-to-back deliveries in the eighth over to complete his hat-trick.
Ferguson would only bowl 2 overs in the innings and would finish with amazing figures of 3/7. Alongside him, Glenn Phillips also gave valiant contributions to the victory with his figures of 3/6 in 1.5 overs.
This is the second time this year that Ferguson has produced a superb spell, with the right-armer collecting eye-catching figures of 3/0 from his quota of 4 overs against Papua New Guinea at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held earlier in June.
Ferguson was also awarded with the Player of the Match award for his incredible hat-trick. Riding on his spell, New Zealand won the match and also levelled the 2-match T20I series at 1-1.
