Intro:

Sri Lanka held their nerve to claim a thrilling five-run super-over win against New Zealand in the first Super Eight match of the World Twenty20.

Script:

T20 cricket doesn't get much more exciting than this!

New Zealand opted to bat in the first Super Eights game against Sri Lanka and got off to a flyer.

Martin Guptill hit six boundaries before he fell in the 7th over to 18-year old debutante Akila Dananjaya. 

The spinner was spotted bowling in the nets by Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and was playing only his 7th professional game of cricket, learning a few painful lessons along the way.

A lucky escape for the youngster, but also for Rob Nicol who went on to smash 58, bringing up his half century in style.

But with Nicol threatening to rack up a big score, Dananjaya struck again. 

New Zealand posted 174-7, and Sri Lanka looked good value to chase that total down.

Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 76 before he was run out, and amazingly it all came down to the last ball.

Sri Lanka tied the game and needed a single run to win it, but Lahiru Thirimanne was run out - an extremely fortunate moment for the worried New Zealanders.

However Sri Lanka powered to victory in the super over - with New Zealand needing 14 from their one over to win, Sri Lanka pace bowler Lasith Malinga conceded only eight.