Mount Maunganui, Dec 28 (Reporter) Jacob Duffy, the New Zealand fast bowler, charged in to bowl the 14th over of Sri Lanka's chase, his team desperately needing wickets to stem the flow of runs. At that point, Sri Lanka seemed well in control, with Pathum Nissanka playing an outstanding knock of 90 off 60 balls. But Duffy had other plans. A dramatic collapse from the visitors saw them falter from a strong position of 121/0, with New Zealand emerging victorious by just 8 runs in a thrilling Saturday T20. Duffy's spell proved crucial, and it was in the 14th over, just before his own contribution, that he struck a series of pivotal blows. His three wickets in the over — removing Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Kamindu Mendis — tilted the game firmly in New Zealand's favour. Despite Nissanka’s heroic innings, his efforts were not enough to carry Sri Lanka to the target of 172/8 set by New Zealand. The Kiwis had posted a competitive total, recovering from a difficult 65/5, thanks to a strong middle-order partnership between Daryl Mitchell (62 off 42) and Michael Bracewell (59 off 33). Their 105-run stand helped New Zealand surge to a defendable score, with Bracewell and Mitchell both hitting half-centuries and displaying clean hitting towards the end of their innings. Sri Lanka’s bowlers had initially dominated, with Maheesha Theekshana (2/29) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/33) providing key breakthroughs. However, it was Duffy's outstanding bowling and a brilliant catch off Nissanka's bat that sealed the match for New Zealand, leaving Sri Lanka unable to chase down the target, falling short at 164/8. Matt Henry (2/28) was also instrumental in the Kiwis' defense, but it was Duffy who took home the Player of the Match honours for his game-changing performance, culminating in his pivotal strike to dismiss Nissanka at the boundary ropes. Sri Lanka’s late flurry from Rajapaksa (8) and Hasaranga (5) was not enough to overcome the mounting pressure, and New Zealand held on to claim a thrilling victory, defending a challenging total and securing a narrow win...////...