New Zealand Beat Sri Lanka by 61 Runs; Ravindra Shines as Sri Lanka Exit T20 World Cup

New Zealand kept their semi-final hopes alive after defeating Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8 match played on Wednesday. With this defeat, Sri Lanka were eliminated from the tournament.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 168 for 7 in their 20 overs, while Sri Lanka managed only 107 for 8 in reply.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first. In the New Zealand innings, Finn Allen scored 23 runs with three boundaries and a six, while Tim Seifert was dismissed for 8. Glenn Phillips contributed 18, and Rachin Ravindra made 32 with three fours and a six. Mark Chapman was out for a duck, and Daryl Mitchell scored just 3 runs.

New Zealand were struggling at 84 for 6 before captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie rescued the innings with an important 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Santner smashed 47 off 26 balls, including two fours and four sixes, before getting out on the final ball of the innings. McConchie remained unbeaten on 31, hitting three boundaries and two sixes.

For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera picked up three wickets each, while Dunith Wellalage claimed one.

Chasing a target of 169, Sri Lanka had a poor start as Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. Charith Asalanka scored 5, Kusal Mendis made 11, and Pawan Ratnayake added 10 before getting out. Captain Dasun Shanaka was dismissed for just 3, leaving Sri Lanka in trouble at 46 for 5.

Kamindu Mendis scored 31 with four boundaries, while Dushan Hemantha made 3 and Dunith Wellalage added 29 with two fours and a six. At the end of the innings, Dushmantha Chameera (7) and Maheesh Theekshana (1) remained not out.

New Zealand bowlers dominated the match, with Rachin Ravindra taking four wickets. Matt Henry picked up two, while Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips took one wicket each.

Source:
Dinamani