A late bowling resurgence led by Jacob Duffy secured a narrow eight-run victory for New Zealand against Sri Lanka. Duffy's three wickets in four balls changed the game as Sri Lanka, chasing 173, collapsed from 121-0 to 164-6.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first T20I being played at Mount Maunganui. New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell,

New Zealand managed to score 172 runs in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, thanks to a remarkable recovery by Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell. The match took place at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on.