New Zealand cricketers fight back to beat Sri Lanka by 8 runs in first T20

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand (AP) — Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell made half centuries in a 105-run sixth wicket partnership to help lead New Zealand to an eight-run win over Sri Lanka on Saturday in the first of three T20 internationals.

Outstanding bowling at the death also turned the match in New Zealand's favor as Sri Lanka slumped from 121-0 to 164-8 in reply to New Zealand's 172-8.

Mitchell made 62 and Bracewell 59 in a partnership lasting only 60 balls, after coming together with New Zealand in trouble at 65-5 when Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Hay with consecutive deliveries in the 10th over.

New Zealand's total looked inadequate as Pathum Nissanka made 90 in 60 balls and shared a 121-run opening stand with Kusal Mendis which seemed to have set up Sri Lanka for a comfortable win.

Mendis contributed 46 to Sri Lanka's first century opening partnership in T20s in 122 innings over eight years.

He was out in the 14th over, an over where Jacob Duffy took three wickets for one run, marking the point at which Sri Lanka's run chase began to unravel. Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Perera were also out in the same over.

“They're class batters, particularly those two at the top,” Duffy said. "We know these conditions well with a bit of bounce and swing up top.”

Nissanka was dismissed with the total 153-5 in the 19th over and only 20 runs needed for victory.

But Sri Lanka went into the match with a long tail and it wasn't able to finish what Nissanka and Kusal Mendis had started.

“We're really disappointed about the result and we really should have done better,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said. “I think Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis batted really well and the rest of us, myself included, should take responsibility for this loss.”

New Zealand was under pressure for most of the match, stumbling to 32-2 at the end of the power play as Binura Fernando bowled superbly at the top of the innings, finishing with 2-22.

Hasaranga then stepped up and took his two important middle-order wickets as New Zealand reached 65-5 by the midpoint of its innings.

Mitchell and Bracewell lifted New Zealand to a solid total which was still made to look reachable under the early onslaught from Nissanka and Mendis.

But after Duffy's three-wicket burst, Sri Lanka lost its way and the next best score after the opening pair was 8. Matt Henry and Zak Foulkes bowled superbly at the death.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Sri Lanka's Nuwan Thushara unsuccessfully appeals for an LBW during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Avishka Fernando celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell bats, during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell celebrates scoring 50 runs, during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis stumps New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka celebrates scoring 50 runs, during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis plays a shot, during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Avishka Fernando bowls during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Avishka Fernando celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Avishka Fernando celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tim Robinson during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips dives to make his ground during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mitchell Hay leaves the field after being dismissed by Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga bowls during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga bowls as New Zealand's New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell looks on during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell bats during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips runs as Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana looks on during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell bats during the first Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Mt Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2026--

Today, a leading global wedding technology platform The Knot Worldwide (TKWW), announced the appointment of Michael Pickrum as Chief Financial Officer. With more than 25 years of experience in strategic finance, operations, and business development within the media and technology industries, Pickrum will oversee TKWW’s global finance organization. Pickrum joins TKWW at an exciting moment as the company celebrates its 30-year anniversary and continues to grow and scale with a focus on product innovation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112910392/en/

Pickrum joins TKWW from Maximum Effort, the media, marketing, and investment company co-founded by Ryan Reynolds, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Before this, he held the roles of COO and CFO at ExecOnline, Inc., a B2B online leadership development company. Pickrum spent over 17 years at BET/Viacom, where he served as EVP and CFO starting in 2007. Prior to that, he was COO of BET Interactive. He earned his master's and bachelor's degrees in engineering from Stanford University and his MBA from The Wharton School.

“I am thrilled to be joining TKWW at such an important time in the company’s journey,” said Michael Pickrum, CFO, TKWW. “There is incredible power in celebrations and I am looking forward to working with the exceptional team at TKWW to further enable our millions of couples and 900,000 small business owners around the world to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.”

“Michael is a world-class financial and operations leader with an impressive track record of driving strategic growth and operational excellence across media and technology companies,” said Raina Moskowitz, CEO, TKWW. “As we continue to grow and scale with a focus on product innovation, Michael’s deep expertise in strategic planning, analysis, and capital allocation will be critical to our ongoing success. We are thrilled to have him join our team and help guide TKWW through our next phase of growth.”

Pickrum is based in New York, NY and reports to TKWW Chief Executive Officer Raina Moskowitz.

About The Knot Worldwide
Across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, The Knot Worldwide champions the power of celebration. The company’s global family of brands provides best-in-class products, services, and content to take celebration planning from inspiration to action. Through its wedding brands, including The Knot, WeddingWire, Bodas.net, Hitched.co.uk, Mariages.net, Matrimonio.com, and others, the company offers an extensive database of hundreds of thousands of wedding professionals to assist couples in organizing the happiest day of their lives. We have a brand for every kind of celebration—from booking a birthday party, to planning a wedding, to preparing to become a parent, and every moment in between.

Michael Pickrum, courtesy of The Knot Worldwide