New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs in a Super Eight T20 World Cup match, eliminating the co-hosts from the tournament. After a difficult start where New Zealand lost six wickets for 84 runs, captain Mitchell Santner (47 off 26 balls) and Cole McConchie (31 not out off 23) built a crucial partnership. In response, Sri Lanka, who needed a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive, collapsed early in the powerplay and could only manage 107 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Rachin Ravindra took four wickets for New Zealand.

Crucial Partnership Rebuilding the Innings

New Zealand found themselves in serious trouble at 84-5, and later 84-6. Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie added 84 runs from 47 balls for the seventh wicket, allowing the team to reach a competitive total of 168-7.

Hosts' Collapse in the Chase

Sri Lanka, needing a win to stay in the semi-final race, lost early wickets in the powerplay. The team never regained momentum and was restricted to 107-8, losing by 61 runs.

New Zealand's Bowling Heroes

Rachin Ravindra, who also scored 32 runs with the bat, took 4 wickets for 27 runs. Matt Henry took two wickets in the powerplay for just three runs, applying early pressure on the hosts.

Tournament Consequences

Sri Lanka's second loss in the Super Eight stage means their elimination from the tournament they are co-hosting. New Zealand keeps its chances of advancing to the semi-finals alive.

New Zealand recorded a crucial victory in the Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup, defeating co-hosts Sri Lanka by 61 runs and eliminating them from further competition. The match, played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, was a 'win or go home' encounter for Sri Lanka following their earlier loss to England. New Zealand's innings started with problems. After losing early wickets, the team found themselves in a tough spot at 84-5, and later 84-6. The key was the attack by Maheesh Theekshana, who took three wickets for nine runs in his first three overs. The revival came from a seventh-wicket partnership between captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie. The pair added 84 runs from just 47 balls, with Santner scoring 47 runs from 26 balls (including two fours and four sixes), and McConchie remaining not out with 31 runs from 23 balls. The final four overs brought New Zealand 70 runs, allowing them to set a target of 169 runs to win. Twenty20 cricket is the shortest international format of the game, where each team has 20 overs (120 legal deliveries) at their disposal. The Super Eight stage in this tournament divides the eight qualified teams into two groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the semi-finals. Sri Lanka's chase of 169 runs collapsed almost immediately. Fast bowler Matt Henry took two wickets in the powerplay, applying early pressure. When left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra caused stumpings of both Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in the ninth over, Sri Lanka was at an embarrassing 29-4, which practically decided the match outcome. Ravindra, who earlier scored 32 runs with the bat, finished with impressive figures of 4-27. Sri Lanka ultimately managed only 107 runs for the loss of eight wickets, losing by 61 runs. After the match, Sri Lanka's captain, Dasun Shanaka, admitted: "It's embarrassing to disappoint the crowds of fans who were very supportive. We wanted to restrict them to 130 runs, but we have to give them credit, they played really well." This is Sri Lanka's second loss in the Super Eight stage, definitively ending their participation in the tournament they are co-hosting. For New Zealand, the victory keeps their chances of advancing to the semi-finals alive, although their earlier match against Pakistan was canceled due to rain. The upcoming matches in the group will decide which team joins the already-qualified England. Super Eight Match Result: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: New Zealand 168:107 Sri Lanka Top Performers of the Match (New Zealand): 1. Mitchell Santner — 47 (26), 0/19; 2. Rachin Ravindra — 32 (22), 4/27; 3. Cole McConchie — 31* (23)

Mentioned People

  • Mitchell Santner — Captain of the New Zealand cricket team, who scored 47 runs at a crucial moment in the match.
  • Dasun Shanaka — Captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team, who commented on the defeat and the disappointment of the fans.
  • Rachin Ravindra — All-rounder for the New Zealand team, who scored 32 runs and took 4 wickets for 27 runs.
  • Cole McConchie — New Zealand player who scored 31 runs not out in a crucial partnership with Santner.
  • Matt Henry — New Zealand fast bowler who took two wickets in the powerplay for just three runs.
  • Maheesh Theekshana — Sri Lankan bowler who took three wickets for nine runs in his first three overs.