<div style="text-align: justify; "><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Kusal Perera returned from a long-term injury in style with a half-century as Sri Lanka posted 196-5 in the first T20 against New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday.</span><br></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Perera scored 53 not out off 45 balls while Charith Asalanka top-scored with a lively 67 off 41 as the tourists peppered the Eden Park boundary after being asked to bat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pair dominated the middle stages of the innings, combining for 103 runs after some early fireworks from opener Kusal Mendis, who blasted 25 rapid-fire runs off just nine balls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The experienced Perera, a former Sri Lanka ODI captain, hasn't played any format for his country since the 2021 T20 World Cup nearly 18 months ago due to a long-standing shoulder problem.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 32-year-old batter underlined his return to form by hitting four fours and a six.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His role supported Asalanka, who cleared the short boundaries six times.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sri Lanka's innings began in disastrous fashion when Pathum Nissanka was caught behind off the first ball, from paceman Adam Milne.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mendis got the innings under way with two sixes and two fours off Milne's next over.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The tourists are chasing the first victory of their month-long visit to New Zealand after losing the Test and one-day international series by the same 2-0 scoreline.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Opening batter Chad Bowes and pace bowler Henry Shipley are making their New Zealand debuts in the format. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>