Sports Bulletin

Islamabad Hawks snatch victory from hosts Kashmir Kings by 2 runs in last over ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI: An unbelievable over by Ilyas Khan turned the tables, as Islamabad Hawks (IH) snatched a two-run triumph from Kashmir Kings (KK) in the 6th game of Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday in a well-contest thriller. Kashmir Kings needed merely 3 runs to reach their target of 149 runs in the last over of the match, as they had five wickets in their hands too. The winning skipper Dolat Zardan handed the white ball to Ilyas Khan for the crucial last over of the match. Ilyas first three balls without giving a single run, however, in the next three balls KK lost their three wickets and threw the win from their hands. Ilyas Khan grabbed two wickets and halted rivals to reach the target of 149 runs. Although, Mohammad Akhlaq displayed top-quality cricket and scored 59 runs in 49 balls with the help of two fours and 4 sixes, however, he failed to finish the game after losing his wicket in the penultimate over of match. Earlier, Islamabad Hawks scored 148 for 7 runs in 20 overs. Habib Zardan (34 runs, 30 balls), Syed Israr Ali (27 runs, 22 balls), Aamir Sohail (26 runs not out, 22 balls), and Rehmat Ullah (20 runs, 19 balls) were the main contributors in their team’s total. Sufyan Moqim got 4 wickets while Junaid Ali and Salman Irshad shared one wicket each. Summarized Scorecard: Venue: Ayub Park National Stadium, Rawalpindi Man of the Match: Ilyas Khan Islamabad Hawks (Batting) 148 for 7 in 20 overs Habib Zardan (34 runs, 30 balls), Syed Israr Ali (27 runs, 22 balls), Aamir Sohail (26 runs not out, 22 balls), Rehmat Ullah (20 runs, 19 balls) Kashmir Kings (Bowling) Sufyan Moqim (4 for 10), Junaid Ali (1 for 29), Salman Irshad (1 for 42) Kashmir Kings (Batting) 146 for 8 in 20 overs Mohammad Akhlaq (59 runs, 49 balls), Riaz Khan (25 runs, 25 balls), Iqbal Akram (14 runs not out, 13 balls) Islamabad Hawks (Bowling) Dolat Zardan (3 for 28), Ilyas Khan (2 for 17), Abdullah (2 for 29) Results & Schedule of next fixtures (All matches to start on 11:00pm): April 6, 2023: Peshawar Pathans beat Punjab Lions by 37 runs April 7, 2023: Kashmir Kings beat Peshawar Pathans by 4 wickets April 8, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Punjab Lions by 6 wickets April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Islamabad Hawks on Super Over April 10, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Kashmir Kings by 9 wickets April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Kashmir Kings by 2 runs April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Punjab Lions April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4) April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3) April 18, 2023: Final (Championship Match)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: The tickets for the fourth and fifth T20 Internationals and the five One-Day Internationals between Pakistan and New Zealand will be available online from 11 April. Tickets for the last two T20Is at Rawalpindi are priced at PKR500 for Premium enclosures (Miran Bakhsh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat) and at PKR1,000 for VIP enclosures (Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Azhar Mehmood and Javed Miandad). The third-floor gallery for the two matches on 20 and 24 April is available at PKR3,500. The tickets for the first two ODIs on 27 and 29 April at the Pindi Cricket Stadium will be available for PKR300 (Premium enclosure), PKR500 (VIP enclosure) and PKR3,000 (third floor gallery). Fans can buy tickets in Karachi in the range of PKR250 to PKR1,000. General enclosure (Iqbal Qasim, Nasimul Ghani, Wasim Bari, Mohammad Brothers and Intikhar Alam) tickets are available for PKR250. Fans will have to pay PKR500 for a seat in First class enclosure (Asif Iqbal, Waqar Hasan, Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan). A seat in Premium enclosure (Quaid, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan) is available for PKR750 and VIP enclosure (Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad and Fazal Mahmood) is priced at PKR1,000) The final three ODIs will be played on 3, 5 and 7 May at the National Stadium.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL RAWALPINDI: A couple of notable performances, Khalid Usman 4 for 18 and Tahir Baig 70 runs not out, abetted Rawalpindi Royals (RR) to thrash Kashmir Kings (KK) by 9 wickets in the 5th match of the ongoing 2nd Twenty-20 Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Stadium on Monday night in a single-sided affair. Rawalpindi Royals achieved their 165 runs target in the penultimate ball of the 17th over of their innings, as three solid innings were enough for the RR to overcome their opponents comfortably. Tahir Baig was the top scorer with 70 runs not out, as he faced just 40 balls while Sohaib Maqsood played an excellent knock of 48 runs in 25 balls. Umair Mumtaz scored 34 runs not out in 20 28 balls. In the match, Bilal Sarwar was the only lad who got a solitary wicket for Kashmir Kings. On Monday night, Rawalpindi Royals’ skipper Test player Yasir Shah won the toss and asked Kashmir Kings for batting. KK posted 164 for 8 runs on the scoreboard in a fixed 20 overs per innings fixture. Iqbal Akram (34 runs not out, 22 balls), Nasir Nawaz (30 runs, 23 balls), Mohammad Akhlaq (20 runs, 17 balls), and Raiz Khan (18 runs in 15 balls) were the main contributors. Khalid Usman did well with the ball and snared 4 top batters of Kashmir Kings after conceding just 18 runs in his 4 overs. Ahsan Bhatti got two scalps for his 17 runs. Sajid Khan (1 for 12), and Yasir Shah (1 for 33) were other wicket-takers. Khalid Usman was judged player of the match on his magical bowling (4 for 18). Summarized Scorecard: Venue: Ayub Park National Stadium, Rawalpindi Toss: Rawalpindi Royals won the toss and elected to field Man of the Match: Khalid Usman Kashmir Kings (Batting) 164 for 8 in 20 overs Iqbal Akram (34 runs not out, 22 balls), Nasir Nawaz (30 runs, 23 balls), Mohammad Akhlaq (20 runs, 17 balls), Raiz Khan (18 runs in 15 balls) Rawalpindi Royals (Bowling) Khalid Usman (4 for 18), Ahsan Bhatti (2 for 17), Sajid Khan (1 for 12), Yasir Shah (1 for 33) Rawalpindi Royals (Batting): 168 for 1 in 16.5 overs Tahir Baig (70 runs not out, 40 balls), Sohaib Maqsood (48 runs, 25 balls), Umair Mumtaz (34 runs not out, 28 balls) Islamabad Hawks (Bowling) Bilal Sarwar (1 for 31) Results & Schedule of next fixtures (All matches to start on 11:00pm): April 6, 2023: Peshawar Pathans beat Punjab Lions by 37 runs April 7, 2023: Kashmir Kings beat Peshawar Pathans by 4 wickets April 8, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Punjab Lions by 6 wickets April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Islamabad Hawks on Super Over April 10, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Kashmir Kings by 9 wickets April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Kashmir Kings April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Punjab Lions April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4) April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3) April 18, 2023: Final (Championship Match)

Abdullah Asjad RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Royals (RR) overcame Islamabad Hawks (IH) in Super Over in the 4th match of the ongoing 2nd Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Stadium on Sunday night, as both teams scored 179 runs in 20 overs per over innings fixture. IH scored 16 runs in Super Over without losing any batter, as the winners responded well and achieved their target in just 3 balls. Umer Farooq conceded 17 runs in three deliveries and threw a couple of no-ball that help RR to reach on target comfortably. Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Islamabad Hawks won the toss and decided to bowl first Player of the Match: Tahir Baig (RR) Rawalpindi Royals (Batting): 179 for 8 in 20 overs Umair Mumtaz (71 runs, 46 balls, 4x7, 6x2), Tahir Baig (50 runs, 27 balls, 4x8, 6x2), Sohaib Maqsood (17 runs, 10 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Khalid Usman (15 runs, 12 balls, 4x2, 6x0) Islamabad Hawks (Bowling) Syed Israr Ali (2 for 17), Umer Farooq (2 for 28), Dolat Zadran (2 for 30), Asad Ullah (1 for 30), Khawar Shehzad (1 for 37) Islamabad Hawks (Batting): 179 for 7 in 20 overs Zain Farooq (61 runs, 44 balls, 4x4, 6x4), Syed Israr Shah (46 runs, 34 balls, 4x3, 6x3), Dolat Zadran (23 runs, 15 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Imran Ali (18 runs, 12 balls, 4x3, 6x0) Rawalpindi Royals (Bowling) Usman Khalid (3 for 32), Imran Khan (1 for 27), Sajid Khan (1 for 35), Jallat Khan (1 for 42) Match Officials: Umpires: Asif Yaqoob, Zulfiqar Jan TV Umpire: Mohammad Sajid Afridi Match Referee: Rashid Iqbal Scorer: Shakil Ahmed Results & Schedule of next fixtures: April 6, 2023: Peshawar Pathans beat Punjab Lions by 37 runs April 7, 2023: Kashmir Kings beat Peshawar Pathans by 4 wickets April 8, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Punjab Lions by 6 wickets April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals beat Islamabad Hawks on Super Over April 10, 2023: Kashmir Kings vs Rawalpindi Royals April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Kashmir Kings April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Punjab Lions April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4) April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3) April 18, 2023: Final (Championship Match)

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Former Test cricketers and respected match referees Ali Naqvi and Chris Broad will lead the playing control teams in the T20 International and One-Day International series between Pakistan and New Zealand from 14 April till 7 May. Ali Naqvi will be the match referee in the five T20Is – spread over Lahore and Rawalpindi – in which Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Afridi and Rashid Riaz will take up on-field umpiring duties. Chris Broad, member of ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will return to Pakistan for the first time in 14 years to officiate the five ODIs to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi. In these five ODIs, Ahsan Raza, Aleem Dar, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Afridi, Langton Rusere, Joel Wilson, Rashid Riaz will carry out the on-field umpiring duties. Amongst the umpires to officiate in the two series, Ahsan Raza and Joel Wilson are the members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, while others are members of ICC International Panel of Umpires. Detailed appointments: 14 Apr – First T20I, Lahore. Ahsan Raza and Faisal Afridi (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 15 Apr – Second T20I, Lahore. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 17 Apr – Third T20I, Lahore. Faisal Afridi and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Aleem Dar (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 20 Apr – Fourth T20I, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Faisal Afridi (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 24 Apr – Fifth T20I, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee) 27 Apr – First ODI, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee) 29 Apr – Second ODI, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee) 3 May – Third ODI, Karachi. Langton Rusere and Faisal Afridi (on-field), Joel Wilson (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee) 5 May – Fourth ODI, Karachi. Joel Wilson and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Langton Rusere (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee) 7 May – Fifth ODI, Karachi. Langton Rusere and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Joel Wilson (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: Islamabad Hawks (IH) beat Punjab Lions (PL) by 6 wickets in the 3rd game of the ongoing 2nd Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Stadium on Saturday night, as the winners reached on target of 110 runs in the 15.5 overs. IH’s captain Arsal Sheikh played the unbeaten 44 runs, as he lasted 38 balls. Imran Ali was another major contributor with 36 runs on 27 balls while Zain Farooq scored 11 runs on 13 balls. Kazim Shah (2 for 20), Ubaid Shah (1 for 19) and Shahrukh Ali Chun (1 for 19) were wicket-takers for the Punjab Lions. Earlier, the skipper of Islamabad Hawks Arsal Shafik won the toss and decided to put the opposition into bat first. Yasir Khan and Husnain Jamal opened the Punjab Lions’ innings, as both could not produce impressive performances. Dawlat Zadran sent both players back to the hut at 20 runs total.   Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Islamabad Hawks won the toss and decided to bowl first Player of the Match: Arsal Sheikh Punjab Lions (Batting): 109 all out in 19.4 overs Talib Asim (36 runs, 40 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Ubaid Shah (24 runs, 17 balls, 4x1, 6x2), Shaviaz Irfan (16 runs, 8 balls, 2x4, 0x6), Islamabad Hawks (Bowling) Dawlat Zadran (3 for 14), Arsal Sheikh (2 for 12), Khawar Shahzad (2for 26) Islamabad Hawks (Batting): 110 for 4 in 15.5 overs Arsal Sheikh (44 runs not out, 38 balls), Imran Ali (36 runs, 27 balls), Zain Farooq (11 runs, 13 balls) Punjab Lions (Bowling) Kazim Shah (2 for 20), Ubaid Shah (1 for 19) Shahrukh Ali Chun (1 for 19) Ubaid Shah (1 for 13) Punjab Lions (Playing XIs): Syed Kazim Shah (captain), Yasir Khan, Shaviaz Irfan (wicketkeeper), Shahrukh Ali Chun, Nadeem Khan, Talib Asim, Husnain Jamal, Muzammal Ibtasam, Adnan Ali, Ubaid Shah, Ali Hassan Islamabad Hawks (Playing XIs): Syed Asrar Ali, Imran Ali, Arsal Sheikh (captain), Khawar Shahzad, Naseer-ullah Khan, Asadullah, Dawlat Zadran, Mohammad Ilys Raza, Sadam Khan (wicketkeeper), Zain Farooq, Umer Farooq Results & Schedule of next fixtures: April 6, 2023: Peshawar Pathans beat Punjab Lions by 37 runs April 7, 2023: Kashmir Kings beat Peshawar Pathans by 4 wickets April 8, 2023: Islamabad Hawks beat Punjab Lions by 6 wickets April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Islamabad Hawks April 10, 2023: Kashmir Kings vs Rawalpindi Royals April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Kashmir Kings April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Punjab Lions April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4) April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3) April 18, 2023: Final (Championship Match)

Sports Bulletin Report RAWALPINDI: Punjab Lions (PL) posted 110 target for Islamabad Hawks (IH) on scoreboard in the 3rd game of the ongoing 2nd Markhor Ramadan Cup 2023 here at Ayub Park National Stadium on Saturday night. Earlier, the skipper of Islamabad Hawks Arsal Shafik won the toss and decided to put the opposition into bat first. Yasir Khan and Husnain Jamal opened the Punjab Lions’ innings, as both could not produce impressive performances. Dawlat Zadran sent both players back to the hut at 20 runs total.   Summarized Scorecard: Toss: Islamabad Hawks won the toss and decided to bowl first Punjab Lions (Batting): 109 all out in 19.4 overs Talib Asim (36 runs, 40 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Ubaid Shah (24 runs, 17 balls, 4x1, 6x2), Shaviaz Irfan (16 runs, 8 balls, 2x4, 0x6), Islamabad Hawks (Bowling) Dawlat Zadran (3 for 14), Arsal Sheikh (2 for 12), Khawar Shahzad (2for 26) Islamabad Hawks (Batting): Punjab Lions (Bowling) Punjab Lions (Playing XIs): Syed Kazim Shah (captain), Yasir Khan, Shaviaz Irfan (wicketkeeper), Shahrukh Ali Chun, Nadeem Khan, Talib Asim, Husnain Jamal, Muzammal Ibtasam, Adnan Ali, Ubaid Shah, Ali Hassan Islamabad Hawks (Playing XIs): Syed Asrar Ali, Imran Ali, Arsal Sheikh (captain), Khawar Shahzad, Naseer-ullah Khan, Asadullah, Dawlat Zadran, Mohammad Ilys Raza, Sadam Khan (wicketkeeper), Zain Farooq, Umer Farooq Schedule of next coming fixtures: April 9, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Islamabad Hawks April 10, 2023: Kashmir Kings vs Rawalpindi Royals April 11, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Kashmir Kings April 12, 2023: Rawalpindi Royals vs Punjab Lions April 13, 2023: Punjab Lions vs Kashmir Kings April 14, 2023: Peshawar Pathans vs Rawalpindi Royals April 15, 2023: Islamabad Hawks vs Peshawar Pathans April 16, 2023: First Semifinal (Team 1 vs Team 4) April 17, 2023: Second Semifinal (Team 2 vs Team 3) April 18, 2023: Final

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has nominated Aleem Dar on the ICC International Panel of Umpires. The 54-year-old three-time ICC Umpire of the Year has replaced Ahsan Raza in the international panel, who has been promoted to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. Aleem’s appointment to the international panel means he will remain eligible to umpire in international matches, including Pakistan’s home international fixtures as well as the upcoming ICC Major Events such as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per ICC regulations, match officials on the international panel are only qualified to officiate in international matches. Match officials in this panel are nominated by the ICC Members. PCB Manager - Umpires and Referees, Bilal Qureshi: “The PCB had a detailed internal discussion on Aleem Dar and there was a consensus to recommend him to the ICC’s International Panel of Umpires as a PCB nominee so that international cricket can continue to benefit from his wealth of experience and knowledge. “Furthermore, the PCB will continue to involve him in its domestic season so that it can develop and groom its own emerging umpires under his tutelage.” To date, Aleem, who was included in the elite panel in 2004, has officiated in a world record 439 international matches, including 145 Tests, 225 ODIs, and 69 T20Is. He has officiated in five ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, seven ICC Men’s T20 World Cups and five ICC Champions Trophy events, including finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2007 and 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2009 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cups 2010 and 2012. Pakistan’s other three umpires on the international panel are Faisal Khan Afridi, Mohammad Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz Waqar.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE): United States players Ali Khan and Jasdeep Singh, and Jersey’s Elliot Miles have been penalised for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off match in Windhoek on Tuesday. Khan will miss the USA’s next two ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first, as his accumulated demerit points have reached four within a 24-month period following his latest Code of Conduct breach for which he received a 15 per cent fine and one demerit point. Khan was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.” Khan had received three demerit points for two separate incidents during a T20I match against Bermuda in November 2021 and with the addition of the latest demerit point, he has reached the threshold of four demerit points which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have been converted into two suspension points. Meanwhile, Singh has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee and handed two demerit points after he was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the Code, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.” Miles has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point after he was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the Code, which relates to “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.” Singh and Miles have not had any other offences in the previous 24-month period. All three players admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Owen Chirombe of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for formal hearings. On-field umpires Andrew Louw and Claus Schumacher, and third umpire David Odhiambo levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Sports Bulletin Report Queenstown (New Zealand): Hosts New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the final match of the T20I to lift the series trophy 2-1 at Queenstown, New Zealand on Saturday. Tim Seifert anchored a successful chase of 183 with his 48-ball 88, which trumped Kusal Mendis' 73 off 43 earlier in the day, though Seifert might not have imagined how tense the finish would get when he was dismissed with his side needing just 29 from 23 deliveries with seven wickets in hand. Overs 17 to 19 would go for just 19 runs, leaving the hosts needing ten to win off the last over. A six off the first delivery seemed to have settled matters but Sri Lanka would land a team hat-trick off the next three balls, with Lahiru Kumara picking up two wickets and effecting a run out. They might have made it four from four too, but Kumara missed an almost identical run-out chance, allowing New Zealand to steal a bye to the keeper. Rachin Ravindra then struck the winning runs a ball later, as New Zealand breathed a collective sigh of relief. For Sri Lanka, it's a disappointing end to a tough tour. Hindsight is often twenty-twenty, but even in the moment, Matt Henry's three-run final over seemed like it could prove pivotal. The five overs prior had seen Sri Lanka hit 56 runs, and with five wickets in hand and Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka at the crease - both capable of comfortably clearing the ropes - Sri Lanka would have been looking to make a charge at a total near 200. But Henry varied his pace and kept it full and wide to keep the over to singles at most. Having gone wicketless for 32 off his previous three, Henry came through clutch at the death, and New Zealand would eventually win with just a ball to spare. Chad Bowes being dropped in the first over might have been bad for morale and momentum, but Seifert managing to pick up a boundary in nearly every over up until the 17th, in which he was dismissed, was what took Sri Lanka out of the game. His partnerships of 53 and 84 with Bowes and Tom Latham also ensured that even the chaotic loss of wickets at the end wouldn't derail his side's chase. Nearly every Sri Lankan bowler went at over 8 an over - Hasaranga ended a dismal tour by his standards with a wicketless four overs for 41 - and Seifert struck at over 170 against all of them barring the always excellent Maheesh Theekshana, who maintained an economy rate of 5.50. Sri Lanka got off to their best start of the series with Mendis and Pathum Nissanka putting on a 76-run opening stand. Mendis would go on to top score in a destructive innings that saw six fours and five sixes, but also one fraught with a non-insignificant dose of fortune. While a couple of mistimed hits fell just out of reach of onrushing fielders, it was him being dropped at first slip by Daryll Mitchell that really raised eyebrows. Mendis would be offered a second reprieve later on, this time by Ravindra running along the deep-third boundary. One final bit of luck would come to Kusal Perera's aid, as he would be excellently caught on the boundary line, only for Mitchell to fail to release the ball on time before trodding on the ropes - even with the aid of super slow-mo, a frame's evidence might have been enough to uphold the on-field decision of out. If Sri Lanka's innings was bolstered by uncharacteristic let-offs in the field, New Zealand certainly did their part to undo as much of the damage caused by those blips. James Neesham's quality take in the deep to dismiss Nissanka set the tone, which was followed by a phenomenal direct hit by Adam Milne from the deep to run out Perera. Dasun Shanaka, who had looked dangerous striking two boundaries off his first five deliveries, saw Bowes hold on to a tricky skier, before Asalanka was run out courtesy of another gun throw from the boundary. That last one was part of Henry's game-changing final over.