Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by seven wickets in their Twenty20 World Cup encounter at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday.
A half-century from Ross Taylor spurred the Kiwis to a competitive total of 164 in their Group C tie. Taylor scored 62 off 43 balls, with three fours and three sixes.
Taylor came to the crease after New Zealand, who chose to bat first, had lost two early wickets and he shared a 70-run stand for the third wicket with Peter Fulton (25).
The 23-year-old then added 51 off 36 balls with Jacob Oram for the sixth wicket. Oram finished with 33 not out off 19 balls with a pair of sixes, as New Zealand's innings ended with some destructive hitting.
Both teams have already qualified for the Super Eight stage of the competition.
Teams
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Shane Bond, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Chris Martin, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Lou Vincent.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Dilhara Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga, Jehan Mubarak, Kumara Sangakkara, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Gayan Wijekoon.