Ross Taylor hit a quickfire 48 to set up New Zealand's five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in first Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Sunday. Ross Taylor lifted Black Caps from a precarious 39 for three in ir chase of 175 to complete win in 19.3 overs and lead three-match series 1-0. Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga became highest wicket-taker in shortest format after his two scalps took his tally to 99 in 74 matches, surpassing Pakistan's Shahid Afridi. But his effort was t eugh as Taylor put on 79 runs for fourth wicket with Colin de Grandhomme, who scored 44, to take attack to opposition bowlers.

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Ross Taylor gets lucky

Ross Taylor, who survived a dropped catch on 31 by Dasun Shanaka at deep mid-wicket off Akila Dananjaya, made most of reprieve to hit three fours and two sixes in his 29-ball blitz. He was finally trapped lbw off debutant leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who returned figures of 2-21 from his four overs. Daryl Mitchell, who made 25 off 19 deliveries, and Mitchell Santner, scoring 14,  n put on an unbeaten 31-run stand to steer Black Caps home. Ross Taylor smashed three fours and two sixes en route to his 48-run kck. 

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Lasith Malinga surpasses Shahid Afridi

Malinga, who retired from Test cricket in 2011 and played his farewell one-day international in July, bowled Colin Munro in first over of New Zealand chase to equal Afridi's record of 98 wickets. 36-year-old n cleaned up de Grandhomme, for 44, to achieve feat in his 74th T20 match of his illustrious career. Earlier Kusal Mendis smashed 79 toff 53 balls to help Sri Lanka post 174 for four. Mendis built crucial partnerships including a 63-run stand for third wicket with Niroshan Dickwella, who made 33. Opener Kusal Perera made 11 before falling to Kiwi skipper Tim Soue and number-three batsman Avishka Fernando was out for 10 as Sri Lanka slipped to 68 for two. Mendis held firm to complete his fifth T20 fifty and also went past his previous best of 70 after surviving a dropped catch on 55. Mendis was finally holed out at deep mid-wicket off Soue, who returned figures of 2-20 from his four overs of pace. second T20 is scheduled for Tuesday at Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. 

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