Sri Lanka, March 14 -- Sri Lanka 102 for 3 (Athapaththu 64*, Kerr 2-18) beat New Zealand 101 (McLeod 44, Madara 3-14, Dilhari 2-18, Priyadharshani 2-25) by seven wickets

Debutant Malki Madara's three-for combined with two-fors from Kavisha Dilhari and Inoshi Priyadharshani set up a comfortable victory for Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener in Christchurch. Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten 64 off 48 balls then took the visitors home with seven wickets in hand. This was Sri Lanka's first T20I win in New Zealand and second win overall against New Zealand in the format.

Athapaththu then hit seven fours and took Sri Lanka to 46 for 0 at the end of the powerplay. Jess Kerr removed Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama in successive ove...