Clinical New Zealand Eliminate Sri Lanka from T20 World Cup
COLOMBO – New Zealand kept their semi-final hopes alive in dramatic fashion, handing co-hosts Sri Lanka a crushing 61-run defeat in a must-win Super Eights clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. The loss officially eliminates Sri Lanka from the tournament.
Sent in to bat, New Zealand’s innings was in tatters at 84 for 6, thanks to a brilliant spell of spin bowling from Maheesh Theekshana (3-30). However, a stunning rescue act from captain Mitchell Santner (47 off 26) and Cole McConchie (31* off 23) propelled the Black Caps to a competitive 168 for 7, with the pair plundering 70 runs in the final four overs.
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The total proved more than enough as the New Zealand spinners ran through the Sri Lankan lineup. Rachin Ravindra starred with career-best figures of 4 for 27, while Matt Henry struck twice early on to leave the hosts reeling at 6 for 2. Sri Lanka never recovered, limping to 107 for 8.
The result has massive implications for Group 2. England have already qualified for the semi-finals with four points, while New Zealand (3 points) are in the driver’s seat for the remaining spot. Pakistan (1 point) now faces an uphill battle, needing to beat Sri Lanka and hope England defeats New Zealand on Friday to have any chance of progressing on net run rate.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +1.491 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | +3.050 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -0.461 |
| Sri Lanka (E) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.800 |
(Source)
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