New Zealand knock Sri Lanka out with 61-run win
Chasing a target of 169, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 107, losing eight wickets within the allotted 20 overs.
KATHMANDU: New Zealand registered a dominant 61-run victory over Sri Lanka in their Super Eight Group 2 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 169, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 107, losing eight wickets within the allotted 20 overs.
With back-to-back defeats in the Super Eight stage, Sri Lanka were eliminated from the tournament, remaining winless with zero points from two matches.
New Zealand, meanwhile, moved up to second place in the group with three points from two games.
England had already secured qualification for the semifinals with four points.
Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a disastrous start as in-form opener Pathum Nissanka was bowled on the very first ball by Matt Henry.
The top order failed to provide resistance, and Sri Lanka slumped to 46 for 5 before deteriorating further to 77 for 7.
Kamindu Mendis was the top scorer with 31 runs off 23 balls, including four boundaries.
Lower down the order, Dunith Wellalage contributed 29 runs.
For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra starred with the ball, claiming four wickets for 27 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand recovered from a major collapse to post 168 for 7 after being sent in to bat.
At the 13-over mark, they were in deep trouble at 84 for 6.
However, a crucial 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Cole McConchie and captain Mitchell Santner turned the innings around.
Santner led from the front with a brilliant 47 off 26 balls, striking two fours and four sixes, while McConchie remained unbeaten on 31 from 23 deliveries.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Maheesh Theekshana picked up three wickets for 30 runs, and pacer Dushmantha Chameera claimed three for 38.
The comprehensive victory strengthened New Zealand’s semifinal hopes, while Sri Lanka bowed out of the tournament after a disappointing Super Eight campaign.
