Kusal Perera scored Sri Lanka’s fastest Twenty20 international century — from 44 balls — to spur his team to a consolation win over New Zealand by seven runs in the the final match of the three-match series.

Kusal Perera cracked a career-best 101 as Sri Lanka, playing only for pride in the third Twenty20 match against Zealand, posted 218-5 in Nelson Thursday. New Zealand have already wrapped up the three-match series having won the first two games when the Sri Lankan middle order failed to fire.

New Zealand won a delayed toss and chose to bowl Thursday in the third Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka at Saxton Oval. Heavy rain overnight and in the morning dampened the outfield and the toss was delayed by 30 minutes as groundstaff worked to get the pitch and surrounds ready for play.