Kushal Mendis and Avishka Fernando built a run hill for Sri Lanka. Then, after the match was stopped for an hour due to rain, New Zealand faced a new target, which was very difficult. At the beginning, he made a quick run, but suddenly lost his rhythm. The visiting New Zealand lost the first ODI by 45 runs in the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-interrupted match.
Kushal scored 143 runs off 127 balls and Avishka scored 100 runs off 115 balls. Sri Lanka scored 324 runs for 5 wickets in the pair of 206 runs.
Due to rain, Sri Lanka's innings could be played up to 49.2 overs. With four balls remaining, the hosts could not finish batting due to heavy rain.
As Jacob Duffy failed to catch the return, Kushal Avishka, who got life for 11 runs, proceeded smoothly. Both made their half-centuries their fourth centuries. Kushal scored a century in the 37th over off 102 balls. The century was discovered in the next over. He got out in the over after scoring the century.
Kushal put on a 53-run partnership with middle-order batsman Charith Asalanka. After his dismissal, Asalanka continued to lead the team. As soon as he got out for 40 runs from 28 balls, the rain started.
Jacob Duffy started the long tour of New Zealand with three wickets for 41 runs in 8.2 overs.
New Zealand's target is 221 runs in 27 overs. Tom Robinson made a partnership of 88 runs with Will Young.
