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New Zealand has won the first Twenty-20 against Sri Lanka by three runs in the last over of the match this afternoon.

Playing in front of a packed Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand's premier batsmen Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill got their side away to a great start with both scoring a half century, Kane, 53, and Martin 58 at more than a run-a-ball.

Trent Boult celebrates taking a wicket during their T20 match against Sri Lanka. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

They were also helped along with starts from Colin Munro 36 off 26 balls and Ross Taylor 22 off 9 balls. The side managed to score 182/4 in the required 20 overs.

It was always going to be a tough total to chase down and Sri Lanka got away to a stuttering start with both Trent Boult and Matt Henry picking up two wickets a piece during the power play to have the visitors struggling at 74/4 in the 8^th over.

But with Danushka Gunathilaka holding up one end it was always going to come down to New Zealand bowling Sri Lanka out or Danushka needing one of his team mates to hang around for his side to take a one-nil lead in the Twenty-20 series. Milinda Siriwardana did that striking a well hit 42.

But Danushka fell short with five overs remaining slashing at a full toss which was caught in the deep by Martin for 46 and Milinda fell two overs later caught in the outfield, with their side on 153/7 and the tail exposed.

The match came down to the last over with Sri Lanka needing 13 off the last over. It was left in the hands of part-time bowler Grant Elliott.

Grant remained calm taking Nuwan Kulasekara on the third ball of the over and then in the next ball Chamara Kapugedera was runout going for the second run that was never on. Sri Lanka eventually fell short of the total by three runs.

The series now moves to Eden Park, Auckland on Sunday for the second T20 match.