In a thrilling finish to the first T20 international in Auckland on Sunday, Sri Lanka edged out hosts New Zealand in the Super Over after the two teams ended up with tied scores at the end of regulation period of the match.
The win gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, after they were beaten in both Test and ODI series preceding the T20Is.
Charith Asalanka hit a half-century before guiding Sri Lanka home in the tie-breaker.
The tourists comfortably chased down the nine runs needed for victory in the Super Over as Asalanka smashed a six and a four off Adam Milne, after Maheesh Theekshana's tight bowling restricted New Zealand.
"It was very exciting," said Man-of-the-Match Asalanka. "Two teams playing very nicely, but today was our day."
Sri Lanka had earlier posted a commanding 196 for 5 after being put in to bat by the Kiwis, with Asalanka smashing a 41-ball 67 and Kusal Perera making an unbeaten 53.
After a shaky start, the hosts rode on Daryl Mitchell's 66 and Mark Chapman's 33 before some explosive hitting by Rachin Ravindra, who blasted 26 off 13 balls, took them close to the target.
Ish Sodhi then struck a final-ball six to level the scores and set up a Super Over but New Zealand lost two wickets in the tie-breaker, which hurt their chances of putting up a strong total.
The second T20I will be played in Dunedin on April 5.
(With agency inputs)
