New Zealand 168/7 (20 overs) – RR 8.40
Top scorers: Mitchell Santner 47 (26), Rachin Ravindra 32 (22), Cole McConchie 31* (23), Finn Allen 23 (13)
Key wickets: Maheesh Theekshana 3/30 (7.50), Dushmantha Chameera 3/38 (9.50), Dunith Wellalage 1/27 (6.75)
Sri Lanka 107/8 (20 overs) – RR 5.35
Top scorers: Kamindu Mendis 31 (23), Dunith Wellalage 29 (23)
Key wickets: Rachin Ravindra 4/27 (6.75), Matt Henry 2/3 (1.50), Mitchell Santner 1/19 (4.75), Glenn Phillips 1/21 (5.25)
New Zealand produced a commanding all-round display at the R Premadasa Stadium, defeating Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the 46th Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025/26 Super Eights, Group 2. Under the Colombo night lights, the Black Caps combined late-innings acceleration with disciplined bowling to register a clinical victory.
After being sent in to bat, New Zealand made a brisk start through Finn Allen’s 23 off 13 balls and Rachin Ravindra’s fluent 32 from 22 deliveries. However, Sri Lanka struck back strongly as Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera claimed three wickets apiece, reducing the visitors to 84 for 6 in the 13th over.
Mitchell Santner then shifted momentum with a counterattacking 47 from 26 balls, striking four sixes at a strike rate above 180. Cole McConchie added an unbeaten 31 to push New Zealand to a competitive 168 for 7.
Sri Lanka’s reply faltered immediately as Pathum Nissanka fell to Matt Henry off the first ball. Henry’s spell of 2 for 3 dismantled the top order, while Rachin Ravindra’s superb 4 for 27 broke the middle order’s resistance. Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage offered brief resistance, but the required rate escalated rapidly. Sri Lanka closed on 107 for 8, well short of the 169 target, as New Zealand tightened their grip on Group 2.
