NZ VS SL - 1st T20I, Sri Lanka tour New Zealand, 2023

16:58 Local Time, 04:58 GMT, 10:28 IST: Sri Lanka were always on top, barring a brief period when Rachin Ravindra and then Ish Sodhi brought them back from the death, 13 were needed when Ravindra was dismissed pff the 1st ball of the final over, they kept pinching ones and two, got it down to 7 off the final ball and then Sodhi nonchalantly dragged Shanaka over the ropes for a maximum and get the game into a super over. Theekshana then bowled an ideal over, conceding only 8 runs and taking two wickets, before Asalanka completed the finishing job. The hosts were rocked early in the 197-run chase, Daryl Mitchell gave them hope with a fine 44-ball 66, Chapman played a good hand and there were cameos from Neesham and Ravindra. But Theekshana was too good for them in the end and that was the difference between a win and a loss. So, Sri Lanka do have a win on this tour and it's come through the shortest format of the game. Can they seal the series in Dunedin? I will leave with an apology for the blunder in the 20th over of the chase, just got my maths wrong. Join us for all the action on the 5th. The IPL double-header will roll in shortly as well. For now, cheers and bye..

Ball 3, Milne to Asalanka, no ball, FOUR, SL win, banged in short and just outside off - Sodhi used the pace and just clamly ran it over the keeper's head with a deft touch, bounces away to the ropes. It's a front-foot no-ball as well, but that's called only by the 3rd umpire, so that's 5 runs added to the total. SL 12 for 0

Ball 2, Milne to Asalanka, SIX, that should be the game for Sri Lanka, was another back of the hand slower ball, but it's way too full and allows Asalanka to get under it, sends it soaring over wide mid-wicket and drops over the reach of the back-tracking fielder. SL: 7 for 0

Ball 1, Milne to Mendis, 1 run, back of the hand slower ball outside off, dragged away to long-on for a single. SL: 1 for 0

Adam Milne to try and defend 8 runs for his team - should get to know the 3 SL batters soon. Kusal Mendis is padding up, Charith Asalanka is the second, so these two will open, have to wait and see who will come at 3

Ball 6: Theekshana to Chapman, OUT, bowled! That's an ideal way to finish off the innings, SL need 9 to win, almost the perfect yorker from Theekshana, full and sliding under Chapman's bat, beats him on the drive and rattles the stumps. NZ - 8 for 2

Ball 5: Theekshana to Chapman, FOUR, tad too short from Theekshana, Chapman rocks back and then hammers the pull wide of mid-wicket, bounces away to the ropes. NZ - 8 for 1

Ball 4: Theekshana to Chapman, 2 runs, dragged short and at the stumps, pulled away wide of mid-wicket and he's back for the second. NZ: 4 for 1

Ball 3: Theekshana to Chapman, no run, flighted delivery outside off, drilled back at the bowler who pokes his left shoe in the way and makes the stop. NZ: 2 for 1

Ball 2: Theekshana to Neesham, OUT, c & b Theekshana: There's the wicket, was slower and wider of off, asking Neesham to drag the lofted shovel, he had to reach out and could only toe-end it, high over the bowler's head. Theekshana called it for himself, kept his eyes on the ball and took the catch even as it was falling over his shoulder. NZ: 2 for 1

Ball 2: Theekshana to Neesham, wide, flighted delivery outside off, past the tramlines and left alone, called as a wide

Ball 1: Theekshana to Mitchell, 1 run, flighted delivery outside off, driven in front of square on the off-side for a single

New Zealand will bat first in the super over. Who'll be the two batters to open? Who will bat at 3? Think it could be Theekshana to bowl the super over, will confirm in a bit, but Kusal Mendis has his helmet on- Mark Chapman is certainly one of the 3 batters, MItchell and Neesham stride out to the middle, its indeed Theekshana

Shanaka to Ish Sodhi, SIX, where did this come from? A friendly half-volley on the pads and he's whipped it with disdain, he's whipped it over deep mid-wicket to leave Sri Lanka shell-shocked. Shanaka being consoled by his mates, the two batters are chuffed as they go back. Well, I got ahead myself, he has actually tied the game, we're in for a super over

7 needed off the last ball, a six will get us a super over, anything else and SL will win - A big chat with almost half the fielders running over with advice to their captain - third man has come inside the ring, short fine as well

Shanaka to Shipley, 1 run, fuller length delivery on off, Shipley drags the drive down to long-on, just a single

8 needed off 2 balls, still anyone's game

Shanaka to Ish Sodhi, byes, 1 run, almost the perfect wide yorker, Sodhi can't lay bat on ball, but they still run through for a bye

9 needed off 3 balls - NZ need a boundary

Shanaka to Ish Sodhi, 2 runs, back of a length and well wide of off, a forehand slap to long-off and Chamika fumbles, that makes Sodhi come back for the second, he would still be struggling, but the return is wild, two more added