New Zealand were looking down and out against Sri Lanka but Glenn Phillips produced one of the best knocks of the ICC T20 World Cup under pressure.
Kane Williamson-led team was 15/3 at one stage but Phillips along with Daryl Mitchell brought their team back into the contest.
Kiwi managed 167/7 in 20 overs. Glenn became the first batter No.4 or lower batter to score a Men’s T20 World Cup hundred.
In reply, the Lankans were 8/4 at the time of writing this news. Trent Boult took three wickets.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first against Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 World Cup match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
New Zealand leads the group after beating Australia by 89 runs in its first game while its match against Afghanistan was washed out.
Sri Lanka, which had to qualify for the tournament, is in fifth place having won against Ireland and lost to Australia. However, a win in Sydney could put them into first place in the group.
New Zealand allrounder Daryl Mitchell returned to the side after missing the earlier games with a broken finger. He is replacing Mark Chapman.
Sri Lanka also made one change The injured Binura Fernando was replaced by Kasun Rajitha.
It was the only match Saturday.
Group 2 is back in action Sunday with a doubleheader in Perth featuring Pakistan against Netherlands and India taking on South Africa. Bangladesh has an afternoon match against Zimbabwe at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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Lineups:
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis , Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult.