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Injured opener Pathum Nissanka top-scored with a quick 66 on Saturday as Sri Lanka posted 290-8 in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand in Auckland.
The visitors, seeking their first win of the series, had raced to an unbeaten 66 at Eden Park when Nissanka retired with a hip injury.
The right-hander, who was 50 off 31 balls when he limped off, returned in the 34th over to add 16 more runs as Sri Lanka posted a competitive target of 50 at the small venue renowned for high scores.
New Zealand seamer Matt Henry continued a fine run, claiming 4-55 to take him to 150 ODI wickets, while captain Mitchell Santner took 2-55 with his spin.
The home side are aiming for a clean series after winning the second match in Hamilton by 113 runs on Wednesday, following a nine-wicket victory in the opening match in Wellington.
Sri Lanka’s top order struggled mightily in both matches but Nissanka ensured there would be no repeat by attacking from the start in a 42-ball knock that included six fours and five sixes.
The 26-year-old collapsed to the ground in pain after hitting a single in the 10th and his retirement slowed the momentum of the inning.
The run rate increased thanks to 54 from 48 balls from Kusal Mendis before he edged Santner while Janith Liyanage held the tail with 53 from 52.
Sri Lanka named an unchanged squad for the second match while New Zealand brought in spinner Michael Bracewell for seamer Jacob Duffy.
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