‘Always great to make a comeback like this’ – Charith Asalanka chuffed with morale-boosting 140-run win despite losing series

Charith Asalanka chuffed with morale-boosting 140-run win despite losing series (Source – Getty Images)

Sri Lanka ended their white-ball tour of New Zealand with a one-sided 140-run victory at the Eden Park in Auckland. Opting to bat first, they put up 290 on the board in an innings which consisted of three half-centurions. Coming to their bowling effort, a triad of three-wicket hauls were enough to derail the run-chase.   

Sri Lankan skipper, Charith Asalanka, while crediting the hosts for their display, was delighted with the way his side fought it out in the dead rubber.

“It’s always great to make a comeback like this. We lost both the series unfortunately. Was a special effort from the boys today, feeling really good. Have a few more areas to work on, credit to the New Zealand bowlers. They put us under pressure, they have been playing really well. The hospitality in New Zealand was very nice, thank you guys,” shared Asalanka during the post-match presentation.

Also Read: NZ vs SL 2024-25: Lankans finish on a high with 140-run win in third ODI

It was a pleasure playing this way: Fernando

Player of the Match, Asitha Fernando, echoed similar sentiments as his skipper.

“It’s a massive confidence-booster, both for myself and the team, we haven’t played like this and it was a pleasure playing this way. There are areas where I can improve, I will get some work done and improve day-by-day,” added Fernando.

Fernando dismissed Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, and Glenn Phillips for scores of 1, 0, and 0 in a fiery seven-over spell. For the Kiwis, Matt Henry with his four-wicket haul, and then Mark Chapman’s with run-a-ball 81, starred. 

All in all, it has been a gruelling series for Sri Lanka. They ended up going down 2-1 in both the T20I and ODI series. The island nation will next feature in a home series against Australia, where they will play two Tests followed by a one-off ODI before heading for the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy.