New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Highlights: NZ claim dominant win by 61 runs to eliminate SL from semifinals race

England (Q): Played: 2, Won: 2, Loss: 0, NR: 0, Points: 4, NRR: +1.491,

New Zealand: Played: 2, Won: 1, Loss: 0, NR: 1, Points: 3, NRR: +3.050,

Pakistan: Played: 2, Won: 0, Loss: 1, NR: 1, Points: 1, NRR: -0.461,

Sri Lanka (E): Played: 2, Won: 0, Loss: 2, NR: 0, Points: 0, NRR: -2.800

Glenn Phillips finishes things off as Sri Lanka finish at 107/8 in 20 overs. The final over brings just three runs and a wicket, confirming a comprehensive 61-run victory for New Zealand.

Phillips strikes in the over when Dunith Wellalage top-edges a sweep, and Rachin Ravindra runs in from deep backward square to complete a well-judged catch. Maheesh Theekshana arrives late and manages a single, while Dushmantha Chameera remains unbeaten on 7.

New Zealand’s bowlers dominate from the first over to the last, knocking Sri Lanka out and sealing a brilliant win.

Mitchell Santner continues his disciplined spell. Dunith Wellalage misses a sweep first ball and then settles for a single to long-on. He later cuts another to deep point for one.

Dushmantha Chameera struggles to break free. He tucks one to long-on, misses a full, turning delivery while attempting the sweep, and finally pulls a good-length ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

The over yields only four runs as Santner keeps control.

SL 104/7 after 19 overs

Glenn Phillips continues to keep things under control. Dunith Wellalage drives the first ball square for a single and later sweeps another full delivery to deep square leg for one more. He tries to glide one to short third but finds the fielder.

Dushmantha Chameera misses a flick as the ball spins sharply down leg, resulting in a bye after a slight fumble behind the stumps. He then nudges one away for a single.

Just a handful of runs come from the over, and with the required rate soaring, New Zealand edge ever closer to sealing a dominant win.

SL 100/7 after 18 overs.

Rachin Ravindra continues from round the wicket and keeps things tight. Dushmantha Chameera is beaten by sharp turn first up before driving a full ball down to long-on for a single.

Dunith Wellalage looks to counterattack. He pulls a slower ball fine for four despite a diving effort in the deep, then adds two more with another pull to backward square. A full delivery is defended calmly, even with a single on offer, before he works the final ball to deep backward square for one.

Sri Lanka pick up a few runs, but Ravindra’s control ensures New Zealand remain firmly on top as the target stays well out of reach.

SL 95/7 after 17 overs.

Sri Lanka move to 87/7 after 16 overs, but the equation now looks impossible. The current run rate sits at 5.44, while the required rate has ballooned to 20.5. They need 82 runs from just 24 balls.

Dunith Wellalage tries to show some fight with 17 off 10, including a boundary and a six. Dushmantha Chameera is at the crease on 1 from 2, but the task is towering.

Mitchell Santner continues his tidy spell and delivers another decisive blow. Kamindu Mendis starts the over looking busy, pulling and driving three consecutive deliveries for twos to momentarily lift the scoring.

He earlier misses a reverse-sweep and then finds backward point with another attempt, but keeps searching for runs. Santner stays calm and fires in a quicker delivery on a good length. Kamindu looks to go big again, but this time he holes out. Glenn Phillips completes the catch safely.

Kamindu departs for 31 off 23, and Sri Lanka slump to 77/7 after 15 overs. New Zealand tighten their grip further as the chase fades rapidly.

Glenn Phillips comes into the attack and maintains the squeeze. Dunith Wellalage begins with a forward push to backward point before cutting one to sweeper cover for a single.

Kamindu Mendis looks to rotate strike, guiding a cut to sweeper cover and later nudging one down to long-on. A tossed-up delivery turns away and runs off the open face to short third, but there is no run.

Just four singles come from the over as New Zealand continue to choke the chase with disciplined bowling.

SL 71/6 after 14 overs.

Rachin Ravindra continues his masterclass. He starts the over with sharp turn, beating Dushan Hemantha on a premeditated reverse. Two balls later, he strikes again. Hemantha looks to swipe a full delivery that turns away, but he gets it off the bottom of the bat. Daryl Mitchell charges in from long-on and takes a clean sliding catch. Ravindra has four wickets and Sri Lanka sink deeper.

Dunith Wellalage walks in and immediately finds a boundary, driving through backward point off the thick outside edge. He adds a single to deep square leg and another to long-on, while Kamindu nudges one into the leg side. A wide also slips through.

Despite a brief flurry of runs, New Zealand remain firmly in command as Ravindra’s spell dismantles the chase.

SL 67/6 after 13 overs

Cole McConchie continues, but Kamindu Mendis finally shows intent. After a single early in the over, Kamindu unleashes a superb reverse-sweep over the infield for four.

McConchie keeps varying his pace and width, even sending one well outside off for a wide. Kamindu misses a cut, but he responds immediately. A shorter ball outside off is sliced off the top edge, flying safely through the vacant slip region and racing away for another boundary.

Dushan Hemantha chips in with a couple of singles, but it is Kamindu’s positive strokeplay that gives Sri Lanka a brief spark in an otherwise difficult chase.

SL 59/5 after 12 overs.

Rachin Ravindra continues his dream spell and delivers another blow. Dasun Shanaka looks to cut a short delivery, but the extra bounce surprises him. The ball takes the top edge and Finn Allen completes a simple catch at backward point. Sri Lanka are five down and in deep trouble.

Kamindu Mendis survives a scare when he misses a pull and is struck on the body. He manages a quick single with a glance to short fine before defending the final ball of the over.

Dushan Hemantha walks in and is immediately tested by sharp turn and bounce, doing well to avoid edging behind.

SL 47/5 after 11 overs.

Sri Lanka are in trouble at the halfway mark, and the chase is slipping away quickly. The current run rate sits at 4.5, while the required rate soars to 12.4. They now need 124 runs from the final 60 balls.

Kamindu Mendis provides a brief spark with 12 off 6, striking two boundaries at a brisk rate. Dasun Shanaka remains on 3 from 4, still searching for momentum.

With half the innings gone and four wickets down, Sri Lanka need something special to turn this around as New Zealand continue to control the contest.

Rachin Ravindra turns the game firmly in New Zealand’s favour with a brilliant over. He begins by luring Kusal Mendis out of his crease with flight and extra bounce. Mendis charges, misses the slash, and Tim Seifert completes a sharp stumping.

After a couple of wides, Ravindra strikes again. Pavan Rathnayake advances down the track but is beaten by turn and bounce, and Seifert makes no mistake behind the stumps. Two wickets in the over and Sri Lanka slide deeper into trouble.

Dasun Shanaka survives a probing delivery that spins past the edge before picking up a single. Kamindu Mendis edges a sweep fine for four and nudges a single, but the damage is already done. New Zealand are firmly on top.

SL 36/4 after 9 overs

Ish Sodhi joins the attack and keeps Sri Lanka in check. Pavan Rathnayake works the opening googly through mid-wicket for a single and later nudges another to deep mid-wicket, but cannot push for two.

Kusal Mendis tries to break free with cuts off the back foot, yet finds the deep fielders each time. A quicker delivery cramps him for room and he loses a hand off the bat while slicing to backward point.

Only four singles come from the over as New Zealand continue to dictate terms and the required rate keeps climbing.

SL 27/2 after 8 overs.

Mitchell Santner comes into the attack and maintains control straightaway. Pavan Rathnayake looks to cut a wider delivery but finds backward point. He later manages a late cut that slips through a fumble at backward point for a single, and finishes the over with another back-foot cut for one.

Kusal Mendis tries to manufacture room but cannot pierce the infield. A full delivery is pushed back firmly, but Santner dives to save a run. Mendis finally works one wide of cover for a single.

Just three singles come from the over as New Zealand continue to squeeze the scoring rate.

SL 23/2 after 7 overs.

Lockie Ferguson continues the pressure with a sharp over. Pavan Rathnayake begins by defending a back-of-length delivery and then blocks another that angles in. A leg-cutter sneaks in next, striking his thigh pad for a leg bye.

Kusal Mendis is hurried by a 146kph short-of-length ball that nips back sharply, catching him by surprise as he drops it at his feet. He manages to push a slower delivery wide of mid-on for a single.

Ferguson finishes with a pinpoint yorker on leg stump, allowing just one more run. Another tight over keeps Sri Lanka firmly under control.

SL 20/2 after 6 overs

Sri Lanka reach 17/2 after five overs, struggling at a current run rate of just 3.4. The required rate has already climbed to 10.13, with 152 runs still needed from 90 balls.

Pavan Rathnayake remains on 5 off 8, yet to find the boundary and searching for rhythm. Kusal Mendis has 7 from 12, including one four, but he too is finding it difficult to accelerate.

New Zealand’s disciplined start keeps Sri Lanka firmly on the back foot, and the pressure continues to build as the powerplay unfolds.

Cole McConchie continues to apply the squeeze with a disciplined over. Pavan Rathnayake starts by turning a tossed-up delivery to mid-wicket but finds no run. He later eases a quicker ball to mid-off and crosses for a single.

Kusal Mendis struggles to break free. He tucks one softly to mid-wicket, steps out but yorks himself and squeezes it back to the bowler, and then nurdles a flatter delivery behind square for just one.

McConchie finishes the over by shortening the length on leg, and Rathnayake’s attempted lap goes straight to short fine. Another controlled over keeps Sri Lanka pinned down.

SL 11/2 after 4 overs.

Matt Henry continues his fiery spell. First ball of the over, he outsmarts Charith Asalanka by taking pace off as the batter charges. Asalanka mistimes the cross-batted shot, and Daryl Mitchell settles under the simple catch at mid-wicket. Sri Lanka slip further.

Pavan Rathnayake arrives and immediately faces heat. Henry beats him with late away swing despite him standing outside the crease. A sharp short ball cramps him, forcing a glove on the pull. Rathnayake finally gets off the mark by tucking one fine for two and then steering another short delivery to third man for a single.

Kusal Mendis sees out the final ball with a push to mid-off, but Henry’s early burst leaves Sri Lanka under serious pressure.

SL 9/2 after 3 overs.

Cole McConchie comes on from round the wicket and keeps it tight to start. Kusal Mendis mistimes the first ball to mid-wicket before nudging a quicker one to square leg to get Sri Lanka off the mark.

Charith Asalanka responds positively. He picks up a flighted delivery and sweeps it powerfully over square leg for four. McConchie adjusts his line, slows it down and spins one away, beating Asalanka on the outside edge. Asalanka then attempts another sweep, gets a top edge, but the ball just clears the backtracking fielder at mid-on for a single.

McConchie closes the over with a dot to Mendis, keeping things controlled despite the boundary.

SL 6/1 after 2 overs.

Matt Henry makes a dream start. First ball of the innings, he delivers a good length ball that seams in sharply and castles Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck. The crowd falls silent as Henry roars in celebration.

Charith Asalanka walks in under pressure. Henry keeps attacking the stumps with precision. A full ball is jammed out, a back-of-length delivery is defended, and a short-of-length ball is knocked back down the pitch. Asalanka then swings wildly at one angled across but misses completely.

Henry finishes the over on a high, completing a wicket-maiden.

SL 0/1 after 1 over.

Dushmantha Chameera begins the final over by nailing the yorker, beating Mitchell Santner outside off. A tight call for caught behind follows, but UltraEdge shows nothing and Sri Lanka lose the review.

Santner then turns the heat on. A missed yorker is dispatched high over long-on for six, and a low full toss is driven for two more. Another full toss is dragged away for four, not cleanly struck but well placed. Chameera has the final say, though. He goes full again outside off and Santner holes out to Charith Asalanka, who takes a superb catch to end a blistering 47 off 26.

Sri Lanka celebrate the wicket, but Santner’s late surge ensures New Zealand carry strong momentum into the close.

Dilshan Madushanka starts the over under pressure and it shows immediately. Cole McConchie cashes in on a low full toss, slicing it fine past third man for four. A wayward yorker follows and is called wide before McConchie squeezes out a single.

Madushanka continues to struggle with his execution, another wide precedes a well-dug yorker that Mitchell Santner turns into a sharp two with excellent running. But when the yorker turns into a knee-high full toss, Santner makes no mistake, staying leg-side and launching it over long-on for six. A bouncer sails over his head for another wide, and Santner finishes the over by dragging a slower ball for two and taking a single to retain strike.

An expensive, scrappy over as New Zealand seize complete momentum heading into the final stretch.

NZ 156/6 after 19 overs.

Maheesh Theekshana, who had been immaculate so far, suddenly feels the pressure. He begins with a couple of wides down the off-side before beating Cole McConchie with the carrom ball. McConchie manages just a single with a reverse sweep, and Theekshana seems in control, briefly.

Then Mitchell Santner flips the script. He first cracks a slightly short delivery through the off-side for four, capitalising on a fumble in the deep. Next ball, he sits down and slog sweeps a flighted delivery over deep mid-wicket for six. The pressure mounts, and a high full toss is dispatched even further over the same region for another maximum — cleared after a brief no-ball check. Santner finishes with a brace to sweeper cover.

A massive momentum shift as Theekshana, previously unscathed, goes the distance in a game-changing over.

NZ 137/6 after 18 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera returns and is taken apart in a momentum-shifting over. Cole McConchie starts aggressively, whipping a length ball over deep square leg for six. Chameera responds with a slower leg-cutter that beats the outside edge, but the respite is brief.

McConchie reads the next variation perfectly, holding his shape to launch another slower ball over deep mid-wicket for a stunning six. A low full toss follows and is flicked for a single, while Mitchell Santner rotates strike with a quick run to mid-wicket. McConchie then caps off the over in style, carving a slower ball angled across for four. Eighteen runs come off it, a massive swing in New Zealand’s favour.

NZ 116/6 after 17 overs.

Charith Asalanka continues from around the wicket and keeps things tight early as Mitchell Santner finds cover and then nudges a single after stepping out. A leg-bye follows when Cole McConchie is beaten by one that spins in.

But McConchie finally breaks the shackles. Shuffling across, he sits low and sweeps beautifully backward of square, splitting short fine and deep backward square for the first boundary in 33 balls. He adds a single off the final delivery as New Zealand get a much-needed release after a prolonged dry spell.

NZ 98/6 after 16 overs

Dunith Wellalage keeps probing with subtle changes in pace and length. He starts by beating Cole McConchie, who misses the sweep against one that slides in and stays low. With a slip in place, Wellalage varies his speed cleverly, slowing it right up and then firing one quicker, forcing McConchie into mistimed strokes that find the infield.

Mitchell Santner nearly edges one attempting the cut as it skids past the outside edge, but manages to step out and drive the final ball to long-off for a single.

Just two runs from the over as Sri Lanka’s spinners maintain complete control.

Charith Asalanka continues the spin choke with a disciplined over. He starts from around the wicket, drifting one in for Mitchell Santner to drive down to long-off for a single.

Cole McConchie then struggles to get going. A couple of deliveries skid on or hold up off the surface, forcing him into mistimed shots straight to the infield. One turns sharply and strikes him on the pads, but the spin saves him from any serious appeal. McConchie finally pulls a dragged-down ball to deep square for a single before Santner blocks out the last delivery.

Just two runs from the over as Sri Lanka’s spinners continue to dictate terms.

NZ 88/6 after 14 overs.

Dunith Wellalage keeps the stranglehold tight and strikes immediately. Daryl Mitchell looks to block a fuller delivery sliding in around off but leaves a gap between bat and pad, and the ball skids through to crash into the stumps. Mitchell drops to his haunches in disbelief as Sri Lanka tighten their grip.

Cole McConchie walks in and begins cautiously, blocking and nudging for a single, while Mitchell Santner rotates strike with a flick aided by a misfield. Just two singles and a wicket from the over as the spin duo continue to dominate the middle phase.

NZ 86/6 after 13 overs

Maheesh Theekshana turns the game on its head with a sensational over. He begins with a single to sweeper cover from Daryl Mitchell before striking a massive blow. Rachin Ravindra cuts a short, wide delivery straight to backward point where Dushan Hemantha completes a simple catch, ending Ravindra’s fluent 32.

Mark Chapman arrives but lasts just two balls. Theekshana produces a classical off-break that lands on leg stump, grips and crashes into the top of off that leaves Chapman clueless.

Mitchell Santner walks in and survives a brief mix-up before defending the final ball. A double-wicket over from Theekshana puts Sri Lanka firmly in control.

NZ 84/5 after 12 overs

Dunith Wellalage begins with a full delivery outside off and Rachin Ravindra miscues the sweep onto his pad. Ravindra adjusts quickly, and when Wellalage errs by going too full and wide, he nails the slog sweep between deep mid-wicket and long-on for four.

The rest of the over is controlled through smart rotation, singles to Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, including a sweep along the ground to deep square. New Zealand keep the scoreboard ticking.

NZ 83/3 after 11 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera starts the over with a single to long-on from Glenn Phillips before drama unfolds again. Rachin Ravindra miscues a slower ball high in the air, but Dasun Shanaka puts it down at mid-off — the second drop of the innings, much to Chameera’s frustration. The pacer responds in style. He fires in a 144kph wobble-seam delivery that angles in sharply and crashes into the top of leg stump, beating Phillips for pace and movement.

Daryl Mitchell arrives and faces a testing finish to the over, nearly earning a wide call before being tied down by tight lines. A wicket-taking over that keeps Sri Lanka in the fight despite the earlier reprieve.

Dushan Hemantha comes under pressure immediately as Rachin Ravindra dances down the track and lofts him straight down the ground for a towering 98-metre six. Ravindra follows it with a single before Glenn Phillips takes over. A half-volley in the slot is drilled straight back over the bowler for four, and he adds a couple with a cut through extra cover. Although Hemantha pulls the length back briefly, Phillips retains strike with another single. Fourteen runs come off the over as New Zealand surge to 73/2 after nine.

Charith Asalanka keeps it tight through the over, conceding only singles and twos. Rachin Ravindra begins by driving to long-on and later easing one to long-off, while Glenn Phillips pulls and tucks deliveries into the leg-side for ones and twos. The highlight in the field comes from Pavan Rathnayake, who pulls off a superb one-handed stop at deep mid-wicket to save crucial runs. Five singles and a brace make it a controlled over as New Zealand continue to rebuild without taking big risks.

NZ 59/2 after 8 overs

Dushan Hemantha begins with a tossed-up delivery and Glenn Phillips drives it down to long-off for a single. Rachin Ravindra then survives a stumping check after being beaten on the inside edge, before capitalising on a fuller ball by drilling it straight back past the bowler for four. He adds another single with a cut to sweeper cover. Hemantha keeps Phillips quiet briefly, but a full ball on the stumps is lofted back over the bowler for a couple to close the over. Seven runs come off it as New Zealand continue to rebuild steadily.

Maheesh Theekshana continues to apply the squeeze in his second over. He starts by beating Glenn Phillips with the carrom ball that raps him high on the pad. Phillips manages just a single later despite being squared up by one that drifts and holds its line, while Ravindra cuts another short ball for a run. Theekshana keeps mixing his pace cleverly, conceding only singles before Rachin Ravindra works the final ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple. Just five off the over as New Zealand move to 44/2 after six overs.

Dushmantha Chameera begins with a good length ball and Rachin Ravindra punches it past mid-off for a single. The breakthrough arrives next ball. Chameera digs it in short and Tim Seifert goes for the pull, but fails to get the placement right. The ball flies flat to deep square leg where Kamindu Mendis takes a well-judged catch.

Glenn Phillips walks in and survives a sharp yorker before nudging a slower ball for a quick single. Ravindra then cashes in on a friendly length delivery, punching it through extra cover for four, but Chameera finishes strongly, beating him with late movement on a 138kph delivery. A wicket-taking keeps Sri Lanka firmly in the contest.

NZ 39/2 after 5 overs

Maheesh Theekshana makes an immediate impact, striking first ball as he tempts Finn Allen with the carrom ball.

Rachin Ravindra walks in and begins cautiously, defending his first delivery before getting off the mark with a drive to long-off. Theekshana keeps it tight thereafter, singles to long-off and long-on, and Seifert knocking one back to the bowler to end the over.

A controlled spell from Theekshana as Sri Lanka regain some control.

NZ 33/1 after 4 overs.

Redemption for Maheesh Theekshana straightaway. After putting down a chance in the previous over, he responds in style, inducing a return catch off Finn Allen.

Allen looks to force the issue but chips it back, and Theekshana reacts quickly to complete a sharp caught-and-bowled. He tosses the ball towards the umpire and thumps the turf, part relief, part frustration released. Allen departs for 23 off 13, and Sri Lanka pull one back.

NZ 30/1 after 3.1 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka begins the over with a length ball that Finn Allen punches to mid-off for a quick single. A sharp yorker keeps Tim Seifert quiet, but drama follows next ball.

Seifert slashes hard at a full delivery outside off and edges it to short third, where Maheesh Theekshana puts down a straightforward chance. Madushanka is visibly frustrated.

Allen makes Sri Lanka pay immediately, lofting a fuller ball straight back over the bowler for four. A mistimed cut and a well-executed yorker follow, limiting the damage to singles, but it’s an over Sri Lanka will feel slipped away after the drop.

NZ 30/0 after 3 overs.

Dunith Wellalage starts with one sliding in, and Finn Allen punches it off the back foot for a single. Tim Seifert then mistimes a drive for one, but Allen quickly takes charge. He first rocks back to crunch a shorter ball through extra cover for four, then cashes in on width again, slashing another boundary between backward point and cover. A single follows before Seifert finishes the over in style, pulling a poor short ball on leg stump powerfully to deep mid-wicket for four. A big over for New Zealand.

NZ 23/0 after 2 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka starts tightly, inducing inside edges from both Tim Seifert and Finn Allen early in the over. Allen then shifts gears, clearing his front leg to hammer a 138kph full ball over mid-wicket for a 71-metre six. Madushanka responds with a clever change of pace to restrict it to singles and finishes the over with control despite the big blow. NZ 8/0 after 1 over.

Total matches: 64

Matches won batting first: 27

Matches won bowling first: 36

Average 1st innings score: 144

Average 2nd innings score: 129

Highest total recorded: 215/5 (19.4 Overs) By BAN vs SL

Lowest total recorded: 80/10 (17.2 Overs) By AFG vs ENG

Highest score chased: 215/5 (19.4 Overs) By BAN vs SL

Lowest score defended: 115/6 (20 Overs) By RSA vs SL

Total matches played: 28

Matches won by New Zealand: 16

Matches won by Sri Lanka: 11

Matches ending with no result: 1

Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

“Disappointing with the rain the other night, but never mind with a good few days of practice here. Wicket looks pretty good. We got one change. Cole McConchie comes in for James Neesham.”

“We are going to bowl first. There might be assistance for the spinners and that is the reason we chose to bowl as well. One change from the last game. Mishara goes out and Asalanka comes in.”

Sri Lanka have won the toss and opted to field.

England (Q): Played: 2, Won: 2, Loss: 0, NR: 0, Points: 4, NRR: +1.491,

New Zealand: Played: 1, Won: 0, Loss: 0, NR: 1, Points: 1, NRR: 0.000,

Pakistan: Played: 2, Won: 0, Loss: 1, NR: 1, Points: 1, NRR: -0.461,

Sri Lanka: Played: 1, Won: 0, Loss: 1, NR: 0, Points: 0, NRR: -2.550