New Zealand has ensured a nervy five-run win over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at Dambulla, equaling the two-match series 1-1 on Sunday. Lockie Ferguson's hat-trick helped New Zealand defend a low target in the game that kept fans on the edge of their seats right until the final over. Lockie Ferguson, rested for the first game after calf stiffness, had something to prove. On a pitch that favored spin, Ferguson's pace and accuracy set up Sri Lanka's batting order. He first got the wicket of Kusal Perera, followed by a superb yorker that had Kamindu Mendis trapped. For the hat-trick ball Ferguson bowled to Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka, who attempted a leg-side flick but got caught by wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay. Watch the video here: Hat-trick! 🤯Lockie Ferguson has just brought this game to life with a crazy couple of overs. 🔥#SLvNZonFanCode pic.twitter.com/8wcOpjpiLQ — FanCode (@FanCode) November 10, 2024 Also Read | Watch: Miller's One-Handed Stunner Dismisses Tilak Varma New Zealand Defends Low Total Dramatically New Zealand struggled to play through the Sri Lankan bowling line up when they batted, scoring just 108 in 19.3 overs. Nuwan Thushara began with two wickets in his first couple of overs, and Wanindu Hasaranga cleared out New Zealand's middle order by grabbing four key wickets. Matheesha Pathirana then cleaned up the tail, finishing with three wickets. Two overs of Lockie Ferguson stunned Sri Lanka with a calf injury, leaving him off the field, but he had already swung the game in New Zealand's favor. His incredible display only added to his reputation as a T20 specialist and also boosted his profile ahead of the IPL auction. While Ferguson's hat-trick was the tail that won New Zealand the match, Mitchell Hay as a wicketkeeper did also make the show more impressive with six dismissals in a game, setting a record for the most dismissals in T20I. Pathum Nissanka gave Sri Lanka a brave fightback, hitting his eighth T20I half-century. He anchored the innings well, getting to 52 off 51 balls with six boundaries. They required just eight runs off the final over for Sri Lanka, but Nissanka's attempt at a big shot off Glenn Phillips did not clear the boundary and he was caught at long-on, sealing a five-run win for New Zealand. The two sides will now head to a three-match ODI series starting in Dambulla on Wednesday. The series then moves to Pallekele, where both teams will continue battling at what has been an intense contest so far.