‘We really should have done better’ – Charith Asalanka hopes for better performance after agonising eight-run loss in first T20I

After electing to field first, Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 172. They kickstarted their run-chase in the most buoyant manner possible, and were flying high at 121 for no loss in the 14th over. However, from thereon, wickets started to fall and the rate of run flow was affected, ultimately leading to the Lankans falling short of the target by eight runs.

Skipper, Charith Asalanka, took the onus of the defeat upon himself, stating that every other batter other than the openers should have stepped up. 

“Very disappointed about the result, we really should have done better. The openers batted really well, apart from that, including me, rest of us had to take the responsibility. That’s the beauty of this game, things can change quickly, we hope to come back well,” stated Asalanka during the post-match ceremony.

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Want to come back and do really well in the next game: Asalanka 

Asalanka assessed his side’s on-field performance, and felt they could have done a tad bit more in the first innings.

“I thought we could’ve done bit better with the bowling and fielding, thought it was a decent pitch and when the openers were batting, it will be real easy. Want to come back and do really well in the next game,” he added.

New Zealand scored just 32 in their powerplay. By the halfway stage, they were five-down at a score of 65. However, Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell played out of their skins to register respective half-centuries. It was a field day for pretty much everyone in the Lankan bowling unit other than Matheesha Pathirana. 

The right-arm quick was demolished for 60 off his four overs. As for the Lankan batting effort, other than the openers, not even one batter could get a double-digit score. Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis recorded a two-ball duck and golden duck, respectively.

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