Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum says a flurry of run-outs cost his side dearly as Sri Lanka cruised to a six-wicket win in the second one-day cricket international at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Chasing 249 after New Zealand's innings was cut short by four middle-order run-outs, man-of-the-match Tillakaratne Dilshan recorded his 19th one-day century, out for 116 as Sri Lanka compiled 252-4 with 14 balls remaining.
The win levels the seven-match series at 1-1, with the third game at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
McCullum says the result is disappointing after New Zealand's three-wicket win in Christchurch four days ago.
"Four run-outs is just not good enough, and I think probably a little bit of panic set in, which we've prided ourselves on not doing recently," he said.
"We'll have to learn a lesson from that, because we were in a pretty good position, probably threatening a 300-plus score."
Sri Lanka always looked composed in their run chase, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dilshan putting on 64 for the first wicket.
Chasing 249 after New Zealand's innings was cut short by four middle-order run-outs, man-of-the-match Tillakaratne Dilshan recorded his 19th one-day century, out for 116 as Sri Lanka compiled 252-4 with 14 balls remaining.
The win levels the seven-match series at 1-1, with the third game at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
McCullum says the result is disappointing after New Zealand's three-wicket win in Christchurch four days ago.
"Four run-outs is just not good enough, and I think probably a little bit of panic set in, which we've prided ourselves on not doing recently," he said.
"We'll have to learn a lesson from that, because we were in a pretty good position, probably threatening a 300-plus score."
Sri Lanka always looked composed in their run chase, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dilshan putting on 64 for the first wicket.