Kusal Perera scored Sri Lanka’s fastest Twenty20 international century — from 44 balls — to spur his team to a consolation win over New Zealand by seven runs in the the final match of the three-match series.

Top order batsman Kusal Perera smashed 101 off 46 balls to set up Sri Lanka's consolation seven-run victory in the final T20 International against New Zealand, who won the three-match series 2-1 in Nelson on Thursday.

Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell made half centuries in a 105-run sixth wicket partnership to help lead New Zealand to an eight-run win over Sri Lanka in the first of three T20 internationals.

New Zealand won a delayed toss and chose to bowl Thursday in the third Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka at Saxton Oval. Heavy rain overnight and in the morning dampened the outfield and the toss was delayed by 30 minutes as groundstaff worked to get the pitch and surrounds ready for play.

Sri Lanka batter Kusal Perera became the first centurion of 2025, scoring 101 in SL's seven-run win over New Zealand in the 3rd T20 at Nelson.

Kusal Perera cracked a career-best 101 as Sri Lanka, playing only for pride in the third Twenty20 match against Zealand, posted 218-5 in Nelson Thursday. New Zealand have already wrapped up the three-match series having won the first two games when the Sri Lankan middle order failed to fire.