New Zealand win by 61 runs, ejecting Sri Lanka on the Tremendous Eights stage.
Printed On 25 Feb 2026
New Zealand have recovered from a poor begin to crush Sri Lanka by 61 runs within the Twenty20 World Cup Tremendous Eights and remove the cohosts from the match.
Mitchell Santner led New Zealand’s restoration on Wednesday with a captain’s knock of 47 off 26 balls after coming in together with his aspect in enormous hassle at 84-5 to energy them to a aggressive 168-7 on the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
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Sri Lanka managed 107-8 in reply, by no means recovering from a top-order collapse and succumbing to their second defeat within the Tremendous Eight stage of the 20-team match.
Rachin Ravindra (4-27) and Matt Henry (2-3) impressed with the ball for New Zealand.
“It’s embarrassing to disappoint the house crowd. They’ve been very supportive,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka mentioned.
“We needed to limit them to 130, however to be sincere, they performed very well, so we should give them credit score.”
Having misplaced to England of their first Tremendous Eight match, it was a do-or-die recreation for Sri Lanka, and so they initially confirmed a way of urgency with the ball after electing to discipline.
New Zealand obtained off to a powerful begin earlier than shedding openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert in successive overs.
They have been 75-2 within the tenth over earlier than the Sri Lankan spinners wreaked havoc to cut back them to 84-6.
Maheesh Theekshana (3-30) eliminated the well-set Ravindra (32) and Mark Chapman in the identical over to show the screw.
Santner joined Cole McConchie, who made 31 not out, in a speedy 47-ball stand of 84 that proved decisive.
Santner smacked 4 sixes as New Zealand plundered 70 runs from the final 4 overs to make sure their bowlers had an honest complete to defend.
Henry bowled Pathum Nissanka for a duck with the primary ball of the Sri Lankan innings and deceived Charith Asalanka with a slower supply in his subsequent over.
Participant of the match Ravindra then whittled out Sri Lanka’s center order to derail the chase.
The left-armed spinner despatched down a two-wicket over through which Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake have been stumped to cut back Sri Lanka to 29-4 within the ninth over.
Ravindra additionally dismissed Shanaka for 3 to basically seal their victory.
Kamindu Mendis (31) and Dunith Wellalage (29) provided transient resistance, however Sri Lanka have been by no means within the chase.
“It’s a kind of wickets the place, if you will get in and provides your self a little bit of time, you may money in,” Santner mentioned.
“It was fairly powerful to start out on the market, so to hit 160 was good.”
Group 2 leaders England have certified for the semifinals with 4 factors from two matches.
New Zealand, who got here into the match with one level from their washed-out match in opposition to Pakistan, have three factors.
