The Black Caps fast bowler broke the bat of Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka early doors.
Having laid waste to Nissanka’s blade, he then laid waste to the visiting team’s batting order.
Milne collected three wickets in his final over to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 141 in Dunedin yesterday.
The home side went on to win by nine wickets.
Milne had picked up two earlier scalps to finish with five for 26.
The 30-year-old right-armer became just the third New Zealander to claim a five-wicket bag in a T20 international.
Milne joined Tim Southee (5/18) and Lockie Ferguson (5/21) in the exclusive club.
It meant a lot too. He has had his struggles with injuries over the years since emerging as a tearaway fast bowler for Central Districts at the age of the 18 in March 2010.
He made his international debut later that year and has been chasing a five-for ever since.
"It feels great. Obviously having played a number of games for New Zealand and not picked up a five-for it was really special to do it today," Milne said.
The game plan was to bowl back of a length and restrict Sri Lanka, but that plan was scrubbed when the wickets started flowing.
Out came the yorker and it was too good for Pramod Madushan and Dilshan Madushanka - wickets four and five for Milne and nine and 10 for New Zealand.
"With a couple of the tailenders in, I was certainly feeling a little bit greedy and going for the stumps a little bit."
Milne spearheaded what was an otherwise inexperienced seam attack.
Ben Lister and Henry Shipley are new to international cricket, so he was mentor of sorts.
"They have obviously performed really well ... to get to this level, so I think it was just about relaying that message to continue to do what got you here."
