Table of Contents

NEW DELHI: Co-hosts Sri Lanka were on Wednesday knocked out of the T20 World Cup as Rachin Ravindra grabbed a career-best 4/27 in a brilliant all-round display to lead New Zealand to a commanding 61-run win in their Super Eights clash.

Cole McConchie justified his selection with a composed unbeaten 31 off 23 balls (3x4, 2x6) while skipper Mitchell Santner came into his own with a 26-ball 47 (2x4, 4x6). The duo stitched together a match-defining 84-run seventh wicket stand off 47 balls to lift New Zealand to 168/7 after Sri Lanka chose to bowl.

Sri Lanka Collapses Again

After conceding 70 runs in the last four overs, Sri Lanka, who had previously crumbled for 95 against England in their Super Eights opener, suffered another batting meltdown.

Chasing 169, the hosts managed only 107/8. Ravindra, who also contributed 32 with the bat, spearheaded the spin attack, while pacer Matt Henry rocked the islanders in the powerplay with a sensational 2-1-3-2 spell.

The emphatic margin not only secured two vital points for New Zealand but also put them on the verge of a semifinal berth. Pakistan now need a huge win in their final game against Sri Lanka to stay in contention.

Henry Strikes Early, Ravindra Dominates

Defending 168, New Zealand strangled Sri Lanka in the powerplay. Henry struck with the first ball of the match, dismissing in-form Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck with a 137 kph delivery that jagged back into the stumps.

In his next over, he removed Charith Asalanka (5) with a slower ball that induced a mistimed shot for an easy catch. Sri Lanka limped to 20/2 amid a flurry of dot balls.

Ravindra then took control with his spin. He dismissed Kusal Mendis stepping out for a stumping, followed by Pavan Rathnayake also stumped just two balls later. He struck again to deceive skipper Dasun Shanaka, before removing Dushan Hemantha with another turning delivery. Santner quietly finished his quota with 1/19, claiming top-scorer Kamindu Mendis (31) and sealing Sri Lanka’s fate.

Kiwi Comeback Behind McConchie and Santner

New Zealand lost four wickets for nine runs between 9.3 and 12.1 overs as off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) and pacer Dushmantha Chameera (3/38) turned the contest in the middle overs.

McConchie then teed off in the 17th over, smashing Chameera for two sixes and a four in an 18-run over. Santner followed, taking on Theekshana in the 18th over, striking a four and two sixes to seize the back-end momentum.

The duo’s late assault helped the Kiwis plunder 70 runs in the final four overs as Sri Lanka, who had bowled well earlier, faltered under pressure.

Earlier, New Zealand had raced to 73/2 after nine overs. Finn Allen smashed 23 off 13 balls (3x4, 1x6), while Ravindra added 32 off 22 balls.

Theekshana applied the brakes, first dismissing Allen with a carrom ball, then removing Ravindra with a flighted delivery, and finally bowling Mark Chapman for a two-ball duck. Chameera complemented him, dismissing Tim Seifert (8) and Glenn Phillips (18), while Wellalage accounted for Daryl Mitchell (3).

(With PTI Inputs)