Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand, 1st T20I Cricket 2013: Day 1 Scorecard and Recap

It was the weather that triumphed in the opening T20 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Pallekele.

A ball had yet to be bowled when heavy rainfall forced the game to be abandoned. The match, which was due to get underway at 7 p.m. local time, was eventually called off almost two hours after its scheduled start time. 

The T20 series between the two countries will now hinge on Thursday's meeting at the same venue, which will be a case of winner takes all.

The elements have wreaked havoc on the Kiwi's tour of Sri Lanka so far. 

All three days of their ODI series, which finished 1-1, were impacted by rain. 

The opening day of the tour on Nov. 10 in Hambantota was brought to a halt just as New Zealand took to the crease. Sri Lanka had set a target of 288 after 50 overs, but the Kiwis managed just 13 runs before the heavens opened. 

The second and third ODIs were decided after the Duckworth-Lewis method was forced into play. 

New Zealand snatched an unlikely victory on the second day in Hambantota. The tourists were set a target of 198 from a shortened 23 overs, and thanks to Nathan McCullum's closing 32 off of nine balls, they clinched the win. 

The third ODI in Dambulla saw the hosts emerge with a 36-run victory after a rain-reduced 33 overs.

The final T20 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will take place on Nov. 21 in Pallekele. The contest will bring the curtain down on what has been a frustrating few weeks for both countries.