Colombo: New Zealand registered their maiden victory on the tour to Sri Lanka beating the hosts by three runs in the first of two Twenty20 internationals, thanks to spirited performances by skipper Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first and was in trouble early in the innings with both their openers gone within the first 5 overs. But Ross Taylor fought hard to take New Zealand to a respectable total of 141 in their 20 overs.

Taylor made 60 off just 45 balls with Guptill being the second highest scorer making 29. Lasith Malinga was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka finishing with figures of 2 for 21 in his 4 overs.

Sri Lanka, in reply, was off to a flying start with Tillakaratne Dilshan continuing his dream run with the bat. He made a brilliant 57 off 28 balls which included 8 fours and 2 sixes. But the hosts lost seven wickets for 71 runs as they lost the plot completely ending up just 3 runs short of the target at 138-9.

Oram was the most successful bowler for New Zealand ending with figures of 3-33. Oram also became just the second bowler in Twenty20 internationals to pick up a hat-trick. He picked up the first of the three wickets on the last ball of his 3^rd over and then came back to bowl the last over and picked up 2 wickets off the first 2 balls. Skipper Daniel Vettori also once again reminded everyone of his worth with a niggardly spell of 2-11 in 4 overs.

The second Twenty20 match will be played at the same venue on Friday before New Zealand join India and Sri Lanka in a limited-overs tri-series starting here on September 8.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 141 for 8 (Taylor 60, Malinga 2-21) beat Sri Lanka 137 for 9 (Dilshan 57, Oram 3-32) by three runs

Man of the Match: Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)

Tagged with: Colombo, Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, Lasith Malinga, New Zealand, Ross Taylor, Sri Lanka, Tillakaratne Dilshan

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