New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the Super 8 game on Tuesday at the R Premedasa Stadium, Colombo. In a must-win game for both sides, the Kiwis came in to win this match after a washout in their first game, against Pakistan, and the co-hosts came with a hefty loss against England, respectively. The loss knocked Sri Lanka out of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
New Zealand keeps its hope alive for the semi-final race, as it currently sits in second place on the table with three points, with one win and one washout. With a game to be played against the group leaders, England. The Kiwis have a fantastic run rate of +3.050, which is more than the three lions as well.
New Zealand and Pakistan’s semi-final scenario explained
Even if the Kiwis lose, they have to lose by a big margin in order to match Pakistan’s negative run rate of -0.461. Pakistan’s net run rate has been affected by a big margin after their loss against England last night.
Sri Lanka is totally out of the semi-final scenario. Pakistan will face the co-hosts in their final Super 8 game if New Zealand loses by a big margin against the Three Lions; then Pakistan will have to win by a big margin against the Island nation in order to surpass the net run rate of the Kiwis.
If New Zealand wins against England, then they will qualify alongside Harry Brooks’ side, who have already booked the semi-final spot. New Zealand will face England on Friday, 27th February. Sri Lanka will host Pakistan on Saturday, 28th February. It is going to be an exciting end to the week.
Sri Lanka could not capitalise on chances
Coming to the match Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first. Finn Allen gave an explosive start to the Black Caps on the night, scoring 23 off 13 deliveries, before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana. Tim Seifert was more of an anchorer who played run-and-gun. The latter could not score much with 8 off 9 balls.
Rachin Ravindra took some control in the middle overs, scoring 32 off 22 balls, and was back in the pavilion, with Theekshana picking his second wicket of the game. New Zealand was reduced from 83/4 to 84/6, losing three wickets in the span of one run.
At one stage, 120 runs looked impossible for the Kiwis. However, Captain Mitchell Santner took charge into his own hands and scored 47 off 26 deliveries, smashing four sixes and two fours in his explosive innings. He was supported by Cole McConchie, who remained unbeaten with 31 off 23 balls, posting 168/7 in 20 overs.
Rachin Ravindra’s all-round show seals the match
Coming out to chase, Sri Lanka lost in-form Pathum Nissanka in the very first ball of the second innings. They were reduced to 46/5 inside the 10 overs and ekpt on losing wickets at regular intervals. Kamindu Mendis was the highest scorer with 31 runs for the co-hosts.
Sri Lanka finished off with the score of 107/8 in their 20 overs. Rachin Ravindra was the pick of the bowlers for the Black Caps, as the all-rounder picked 4/27 in his four-over spell. He was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
Also Read: Watch: Matt Heney cleans up Pathum Nissanka with unplayable delivery
