New Zealand knock out Sri Lanka from T20 World Cup with dominant Super Eight win

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 splendid all-round display to power New Zealand to a comprehensive 61-run victory in their Super Eights clash in Colombo.

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) as the duo stitched a match-defining 84-run seventh wicket stand off 47 balls to lift New Zealand to 168/7 after Sri Lanka opted to bowl.

Having let the Kiwis flourish with 70 runs in the last four overs, Sri Lanka, who had collapsed for 95 against England in their Super Eights opener, suffered yet another batting meltdown.

Chasing 169, Sri Lanka could only score 107/8 with Ravindra — who also made 32 with the bat — leading the spin charge after pacer Matt Henry rocked the islanders in the powerplay with a sensational bowling display of 2-1-3-2.

The emphatic victory margin not only sealed two crucial points for New Zealand but also put them firmly on the brink of a semifinal berth. Pakistan will now need a massive win in their final game against Sri Lanka to keep their semifinal qualification hopes alive.

New Zealand next face England in their concluding Super Eights fixture on Friday, while Pakistan take on already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday.

Defending 168, New Zealand strangled Sri Lanka in the powerplay through Henry. The pacer struck with the first ball of the opening over, dismissing in-form Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck with a 137kph delivery that pitched on a length outside off, jagged back in and crashed into the stumps.

In the first ball of his next over, Henry removed Charith Asalanka (5), taking pace off to induce a mistimed shot that resulted in a simple catch. Sri Lanka limped to 20 for two in the powerplay with a flurry of dot balls.

Ravindra then took control, dismissing Kusal Mendis with a sharp stumping after pulling his length back and spinning the ball away as the batter stepped out. Two balls later, Pavan Rathnayake charged down the track, was beaten in flight and stumped.

The left-arm spinner struck again, deceiving skipper Dasun Shanaka in the air before removing Dushan Hemantha with another delivery that gripped and turned. Santner quietly completed his quota with 1/19, taking Lankan top-scorer Kamindu Mendis (31) and sealing Sri Lanka’s exit.

Invited to bat, New Zealand lost four wickets for nine runs between 9.3 and 12.1 overs as wily offspinner Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) and pacer Dushmantha Chameera (3/38) turned the contest around.

McConchie attacked Chameera in the 17th over, smashing two sixes and a four in an 18-run over. Santner then hit a four and two sixes against Theekshana in the 18th over that yielded 21 runs to seize momentum.

The duo’s late onslaught saw New Zealand add 70 runs in the final four overs as Sri Lanka, though sharp earlier, faltered at the death.

At the halfway stage, on a dry Khettarama surface, Theekshana and Chameera shared six wickets to restrict New Zealand after they raced to 73/2 in nine overs.

Finn Allen smashed 23 off 13 balls (3x4, 1x6), while Ravindra looked fluent in his 32 off 22 balls (3x4, 1x6).

Theekshana then applied the brakes, removing Allen with his carrom ball and later dismissing Ravindra with a flighted delivery. He also bowled Mark Chapman for a two-ball duck with a disguised wrong one.

Chameera dismissed Tim Seifert (8) and Glenn Phillips (18), while Wellalage accounted for Daryl Mitchell (3).