New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka to stay alive in T20 World Cup

Colombo – The New Zealand national cricket team delivered a comprehensive performance to knock out co-host Sri Lanka national cricket team by 61 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, eliminating the hosts from the tournament while keeping their semi-final hopes alive. New Zealand’s bowlers dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up while maintaining a competitive 168-7, restricting them to 107-8 in 20 overs after a disastrous start. Matt Henry set the tone with a dream delivery, clean bowling Pathum Nissanka for a duck off the first ball of the innings. He struck again in the next over, removing Charith Asalanka for five and sending Sri Lanka 6-2 up.

Rachin Ravindra turned the screws with a decisive spell through the middle overs. He dismissed Kusal Mendis (11) and Pavan Ratnayake (10) before sending back captain Dasun Shanaka (3) and Dushan Hemanta (3) to reduce the hosts to 59-6, effectively ending the contest.

Kamindu Mendis briefly resisted with his highest score of 31 off 23 balls and Dunith Wellalage added 29 runs, but the required rate continued to rise. Mitchell Santner eliminated Kamindu at a crucial moment, while Glenn Phillips took the overall win for Wellalage in the final.

Earlier, New Zealand were 168-7 after a variable innings. Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen got off to a lively start with a 30-run stand before Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Allen for 23 runs. A vital late partnership between captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie saved the innings. The pair added a crucial half-century stand to accelerate the closing overs to take the total score to over 150. Santner hit a powerful 47 off 47 balls, including four sixes, while McConchie hit 31 off 23 balls. A disciplined bowling effort helped New Zealand secure a resounding victory.

Summary Score

New Zealand 168-7 in 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47, Rachin Ravindra 32, Cole McConchie 31; M Theekshana 3-30, D Chameera 3-38) beat SRI LANKA 107-8 (K Mendis 31, D Wellalage 29; R Ravindra 4-27) by 61 runs in 20 overs.