SRI LANKA LOST BY 21 RUNS BUT PERERA WON THE HEART

Sri Lanka lost by 21 runs but Perera won the heart of the critics. New Zealand won the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

Winning the toss New Zealand came to bat first. They picked 319 runs from 50 overs costs 7 wickets. Ross Taylor and Collin Munro smelt their century but backed to the pavilion at 90 and 87 runs. James Neesham (64) with 5 fours and 3 six from 37 balls only.

Lasith Malinga had 2 wickets and Nuwan Pradip had one. The rests were run out.

But the man of the match is Thisara Perera his masterclass tornado inning brought Sri Lanka to the victory. But he lost to the fortune. Opener Danushka Gunathilaka scored 71 from 73 balls before beating to Neesham. But the match is exceptional for Thisara Perera.

When he came to the batting, the score was 121 runs for 5 wickets. Sri Lanka needs 199 runs from 150 balls. Perera spends 74 balls to pick his 140 runs fighting inning. But his teammates didn’t co-operate him.

The most Tragic moment came at the last when ninth wicket falls at 254, then Sri Lanka needs 66 from 42 balls. But Perera didn’t throw up the card. At 298 score, Perera got out then Sri Lanka was 21 run apart from 22 balls. How strong a man at this team condition? He fought till the last ball of his inning. Picking his 50 from 28 balls, he costs 57 balls to make it three digits.

Ish Sodhi got three wickets. Matt Henry and James Neesham picked two wickets each.

Finally, the match records will show us the result, Sri Lanka lost by 21 runs but Perera won the heart. New Zealand won the three-match series by 2-0 with one match in hand.

N.B: Collected Picture.