Charith Asalanka might be lucky with the toss, but certainly, his team lacks the intent and skill level to beat the Kiwis in their backyard the Bay Oval.
Inviting New Zealand to bat first Sri Lanka lost control due to poor bowling, especially by Mahesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, who leaked too many runs in their alloted 4 overs.
At the end of 10 overs, the Kiwi batters were circumspect in their approach. They made 86 runs for 2 wickets with Tim Robinson stroking a delightful 41 runs. He cartered Hasaranga to the cow corner for a mighty six, however, in the very next ball, his timber took a tumble as he played the wrong line to a Hasaranga straight delivery and had to take the long walk back to the hutch.
Mark Chapman held the innings together and made 42 runs before he waltzed down the track to a Hasaranga googly, and Kusal Mendis made the stumping formality look easy with the score on 116.
Pathirana got a bonus scalp of Glenn Philips when his loose delivery was mistimed by the right-hander, who ultimately was caught by Pathum Nissanka at the cow corner yet again with Kiwis on 122.
Two back to back wickets and the third followed on 145 when Darryl Mitchell was run out for 18.
At the end of 15 overs, Sri Lanka looked in control, but Theekshana, who was off colour today, got cartered by Mitchell Hay, who made 41 runs in just 19 balls and the visitors looked hapless at the skyline with the white ball lighting up the night sky with Mitchell Hay showing his power hitting capability to help his team to 186 for 5 wickets after being reduced to 124 runs for 5 wickets at the end of 15 overs.
New Zealand made 62 runs in the last 5 overs, and Theekshana ended his spell of 4 overs conceding 52 runs and was wicketless.
Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers 2 for 28, Nuwan Thushara 2 for 25 while Matheesha Pathirana and Binura Fernando conceded 37 runs each.
A 186 target with Sri Lankan batters skills on Kiwi conditions against their quality seam and spin was definitely a herculean climb.
Pathum Nissanka made 37, Kusal Janith Perera 48, and Asalanka 20 were the only noteworthy contributions by the Sri Lankans.
Jacob Duffy seems to haunt the island players as he scalped 4 wickets for 15 runs with 14 dot balls in his 24 ball spell.
Sri Lanka bowled out for 140 runs was the end result of a hapless batting display.
The visitors not only lost the match by 45 runs, they also recorded a series loss and have lost 10 games to New Zealand in the Kiwis backyard.
In the last 6 outings in the T 20 format, the black caps have dominated by 5 games to 1.