SYDNEY, Dec 22: Sanath Jayasuriya blazed an unbeaten half-century to steer Sri Lanka to victory over New Zealand in their rain-affected Twenty20 international in Wellington on Friday.

Sri Lanka were awarded victory by 18 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis system after racing to 62 for one off 5.5 overs in reply to New Zealand's 162-8.

Jayasuriya smashed a six and 10 boundaries to reach 51 not out off just 23 balls after taking 3-21 for the ball in New Zealand's innings.

The Kiwis made a flying start when Brendan McCullum (39) and Stephen Fleming (38) blasted 80 for the opening wicket only to lose their way.

Farveez Maharoff made the breakthrough when he bowled Fleming then Muttiah Muralitharan got rid of McCullum, who slammed four sixes in his innings, including two from Muralitharan's first over.

Jayasuriya, 37, then chipped in to dismiss James Franklin, Nathan Astle and James Marshall with his left-arm spinners, putting the brakes on New Zealand's scoring.

Sri Lanka lost Upul Tharanga early in their reply but with the weather closing in, Jayasuriya launched into the New Zealand bowlers to put his team ahead before rain forced the match to be abandoned.

The teams, who drew the test series 1-1, will play each other in a second Twenty20 match in Auckland on Tuesday before starting their five-match one-day series.—Reuters