Welcome to our in-depth overview of the “Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Match Scorecard” series from 2025. In this article, you’ll find a clear introduction alongside quick facts to help you instantly grasp the key details. On the left is a brief introduction, and on the right a list of key takeaways.

Introduction Quick Facts
This article provides a detailed match-by-match analysis of the 2025 series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. You’ll find match scorecards, key player performances, tactical insights, and answers to FAQs. The description is written clearly so that even a young reader can follow along easily.
  • 3-Game Series: 2 ODIs and 1 T20I
  • New Zealand won both ODIs
  • Sri Lanka clinched the T20I by 7 runs
  • Top performers: Will Young, Kusal Perera
  • Critical moments: Maheesh Theekshana’s hat-trick, weather delays

Series Overview

The 2025 series between the Sri Lanka national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team has provided plenty of talking points. The series was composed of two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) followed by a Twenty20 International (T20I). Throughout the matches, team strategies, player performances, and external factors like weather conditions shaped the outcomes.

1st ODI Match Analysis

In the first One-Day International, New Zealand managed to secure victory by winning by 9 wickets with 142 balls remaining. While the result might seem straightforward, the match offered various tactical insights. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 178/10 in 43.4 overs. The opening batsmen struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined seam bowling. During this innings, key Sri Lankan players like Pathum Nissanka scored only 9 runs, Kusal Mendis contributed 56 runs, and Avishka Fernando chipped in 36 runs. The early breakthroughs, especially by New Zealand’s bowler Henry, contributed significantly to the collapse of the Sri Lankan top order.

New Zealand’s reply was impressive. They scored 180/1 in just 26.2 overs. The innings was led by a brilliant performance from Will Young, who remained unbeaten on 90. Rachin Ravindra’s 45 runs and Michael Chapman’s 29* runs rounded out the effort, demonstrating that New Zealand’s batting depth can handle challenging conditions.

2nd ODI Match Analysis

The second ODI presented another opportunity for tactical brilliance. New Zealand won this match by 113 runs. Sri Lanka, batting first again, managed only 142/10 in 37 overs. In this innings, Kamindu Mendis was a standout performer with a score of 64 runs. Additionally, Maheesh Theekshana managed a historic hat-trick for Sri Lanka even though it was not enough to alter the outcome of the game.

New Zealand’s chase started strongly as they posted 255/9 in 37 overs. Rachin Ravindra led the charge with a score of 79 runs, closely followed by Michael Chapman’s 62 runs. The batting lineup’s performance emphasized their depth and capability. Tactical decisions like including Tom Latham after his return from a side strain augmented New Zealand’s lineup, giving them a significant advantage.

3rd T20I Match Analysis

The final match of the series was the T20I which turned the spotlight on Sri Lanka. In a thrilling last-over finish, Sri Lanka edged out New Zealand by 7 runs. Batting first, Sri Lanka put up a formidable total of 218/5 in just 20 overs. Kusal Perera starred in the match with an outstanding 101-run innings, while Charith Asalanka contributed 46 runs. However, an early dismissal of Avishka Fernando was a concern for the team, potentially impacting the momentum.

For New Zealand, the chase was a tale of close calls. Batting admirably, they reached 211/7 in 20 overs but fell short by 7 runs. Key contributions came from Devon Conway, who scored 63 runs, and Glenn Phillips with 44 runs. Although Mitchell Santner’s bowling helped keep the scores in check, New Zealand could not bridge the narrow margin required for a win.

Key Player Performances

Analyzing the players’ performances offers insight into both teams’ strategies. Below is an ordered list summarizing the top performers of the series:

  1. Will Young (New Zealand) – Consistent high scores across both ODIs, proving his importance to the batting line-up.
  2. Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka) – His century in T20I played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s victory in the final match.
  3. Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka) – A remarkable hat-trick in the 2nd ODI, showing his potential despite the overall team failure.
  4. Tom Latham (New Zealand) – Returning after an injury, his inclusion bolstered the team’s batting strength.

Strategic Breakdown

The strategies deployed by both teams were shaped by their individual strengths and areas for improvement. For New Zealand, their batting depth and disciplined bowling, particularly by seamers like Henry, allowed them to secure wins in the ODIs. On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s batting order found it especially challenging to cope with New Zealand’s pace attack, leading to an early collapse on several occasions.

A significant factor in the series was the weather. In the second ODI, interruptions due to weather conditions not only reduced the available overs but also created an unpredictable environment that tested the teams’ adaptability. Furthermore, team changes—such as Sri Lanka’s inclusion of spinner Maheesh Theekshana and New Zealand’s adjustments with Tom Latham—were labors of necessity rather than strategic brilliance.

Performance Data

The following table summarizes the key match performances for each of the three games:

Match Team Total Score Key Player(s)
1st ODI Sri Lanka 178/10 in 43.4 overs Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando
1st ODI New Zealand 180/1 in 26.2 overs Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Chapman
2nd ODI Sri Lanka 142/10 in 37 overs Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana
2nd ODI New Zealand 255/9 in 37 overs Rachin Ravindra, Michael Chapman
3rd T20I Sri Lanka 218/5 in 20 overs Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka
3rd T20I New Zealand 211/7 in 20 overs Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner