New Zealand’s fast bowler Lockie Ferguson achieved a hat-trick early in the second T20 match.

In the second Twenty20 encounter played in Dambulla, Sri Lanka chased a low target, but lockie ferguson, the fast bowler for New Zealand, secured an exciting hat-trick in the early overs.

lockie ferguson’s hat-trick came after New Zealand was bowled out for just 108 runs, and he fiercely defended the score. He completed his hat-trick in the eighth over by dismissing Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka on successive deliveries after dismissing Kusal Perera with the final ball in the sixth over.

lockie ferguson had earlier demonstrated his bowling ability in June during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by taking 3/0 against Papua New Guinea in four overs; this was his second notable performance of the year.

Wanindu Hasaranga led Sri Lanka’s innings, which made it difficult for New Zealand to build alliances. Hasaranga claimed four wickets, while Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana each contributed three and two, severely taxing New Zealand.

lockie ferguson won Player of the Match for his crucial contribution to New Zealand’s triumph over Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

A seemingly straightforward chase took a dramatic turn when Ferguson destroyed Sri Lanka’s middle order, bringing them down to 34/4. Despite the low aim, Sri Lanka felt the pressure as captain Asalanka was removed for zero.

Lockie Ferguson secured his place as the fifth New Zealand bowler to claim a T20I hat-trick, joining the ranks of Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Jacob Oram, and Matt Henry. New Zealand’s second and third bowlers to record T20I hat-tricks were Oram and Southee; Bracewell had done it in 2022, and Henry had done so against Pakistan in 2023. In 2022, Southee again achieved a hat-trick against India. New Zealand’s exciting five-run triumph over Sri Lanka in Dambulla, which tied the series at one, was largely due to lockie ferguson’s pace.

lockie ferguson attacked with accuracy and pace, flourishing on a ground that has always favored spinners. As New Zealand gained control, the crowded Dambulla audience watched in shock as his incisive bowling upset the Sri Lankan batsmen. Mitchell Hay, the custodian, set a new record with six dismissals in a Twenty20 International and was instrumental in Ferguson’s hat-trick.

Ferguson’s Outstanding Comeback

Ferguson made an incredible return in this match after missing the first one because of a calf injury. With a controlled bowl, he got rid of Kusal Perera, who was caught behind. After trapping Kamindu Mendis LBW with a brilliant yorker, he took Charith Asalanka’s catch to complete his hat-trick.

Pathum Nissanka, the Lone Warrior of Sri Lanka

With a score of 52 from 51 balls, Pathum Nissanka stood tall for Sri Lanka. He scored six fours and came close to leading Sri Lanka to victory, ranking eighth among ICC T20 hitters. After a decisive inning with just eight runs needed in the last over, Nissanka attempted to hit Glenn Phillips to the long-on boundary but was caught.

Sri Lanka’s Expensive Bonuses

Although the Sri Lankan bowlers performed a good job of holding New Zealand to 108 in 19.3 overs, their extra runs and poor fielding proved to be costly. The low-scoring game was significantly impacted by the 19 extras they gave up, including 11 byes.

This white-ball cricket contest, which is now knotted at one, will continue with a three-match ODI series. On November 13, the ODI series is scheduled to begin.

T20 second, Dambulla

New Zealand: 19.3 overs, 108 all out 30-year-old; Hasaranga 4-17
Sri Lanka: 19.5 overs, 103 all out Nissanka 52 (51); Phillips 3-6, Ferguson 3-7

With a five-run victory, New Zealand tied the series at one.

In a thrilling, low-scoring second Twenty20 match in Dambulla, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by defending a modest score of 108 runs, thanks to hat-tricks from Lockie Ferguson and three wickets from Glenn Phillips in the final over.

Pathum Nissanka, the opener, was caught at long-on by off-spinner Phillips on the second ball, but the hosts just needed eight runs in the last over. Nissanka scored on the sluggish, twisting pitch with 52 off 51 balls. On the very next ball, Matheesha Pathirana was out for a golden duck but was stumped by Phillips. Mahesh Theekshana was caught on the last ball when six runs were required, guaranteeing New Zealand’s victory, as Sri Lanka only managed one run after that.

Ferguson, a fast bowler, had earlier removed Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka at the beginning of his second over after dismissing Kusal Perera on the final ball of his first over. With figures of 3-7 in his two overs, Ferguson became the sixth player from New Zealand to claim a T20I hat-trick, while Phillips finished with 3-6 from 1.5 overs. In men’s T20 cricket, New Zealand’s total was their lowest ever successfully defended score.

Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka, a leg-spinner, took 4-17 as New Zealand battled with the bat, losing wickets frequently and ending their innings in 19.3 overs. After the top six batters were removed for single-figure scores, Mitchell Santner’s 19 and all-rounder Josh Clarkson’s 24 offered some steadiness. Opening batsman Will Young scored 30 runs off 32 balls.

The two-match T20 series concludes in a 1-1 draw as a result. On Wednesday, the three-match ODI series will get underway.