Published: February 25, 2026 at 11:06 pm
New Zealand ended Sri Lanka’s run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they staged a brilliant recovery with the bat to set up a 61-run victory in Colombo on Wednesday. After a late charge lifted New Zealand to 168 for 7 in their 20 overs, the Kiwi bowlers came to the party, holding the home team to 107 for 8.
It was Sri Lanka’s second successive defeat in the Super Eight stage, which puts them out of semifinal contention. Meanwhile, New Zealand have strengthened their chances of making the final four with the big win. While England have already qualified, the Kiwis are currently second in Group 2 with three points. The only team who can still challenge them is Pakistan, but Salman Agha’s side will have to win against Sri Lanka with a substantial margin and hope that New Zealand crumble against England to go through.
“It is really embarrassing to disappoint the home crowd. We started really well, but to be honest, that Santner partnership was a good one. Took the game away from us. Also, the decision to bowl first… We didn’t expect the pitch to turn this much, because it’s a new pitch. Wanted to restrict them under 130, but to be honest, they played really well. (Kusal) came into the game with an issue… But it’s just that kind of day, no one got a start for us. I thought the wicket might settle since it’s a new pitch, but the areas they bowled – we didn’t bowl there. Occasionally, but not all the time we were hitting the length. Give credit to New Zealand bowlers. One more game, we finish it on a high. Hopefully our best game. The batsmen need to take responsibility up top. Can’t rely on one or two batsmen in a game. If you get out, take the positive option. You can be relaxed in the dugout. It is T20 cricket, you need to show the intent a little more,” said a disappointed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.
Skipper Santner rescues New Zealand innings
Put into bat, New Zealand’s lower order rescued the team from a precarious 84 for 6 to go past 160. Captain Mitchell Santner led the way with a 47 off 26 balls, slamming four sixes and two fours, while Cole McConchie was unbeaten on 31, with the help of three fours and two sixes.
Though Finn Allen gave the team a brisk start, Sri Lanka struck back in the third over, with Maheesh Theekshana packing off the right-hander and Dushmantha Chameera dismissing his opening partner Tim Seifert in the next over. A 41-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra (32) and Glenn Phillips provided temporary respite.
But Phillips’ dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse, with New Zealand losing four wickets for nine runs. Ravindra, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell departed within the space of eight balls, with the score frozen on 84.
With New Zealand on the verge, Santner and McConchie dug their heels in. They took their time calming the nerves, then flipped the switch in the 17th over, scoring 70 runs in the last four overs. They piled on 84 runs for the seventh wicket, in just 47 balls, to bring New Zealand roaring back into the game.
Off spinner Theekshana (3/30) and pacer Chameera (3/38) had been razor sharp in the first 15 overs but came in for some brutal treatment in the slog overs.
“One of those wickets where if you get in, give yourself a bit of time, you can cash in. It looked like a pretty good wicket, spun more than we thought. Control your lengths. Fantastic with McConchie. We were 3 off 10 each, probably, but we talked with each other. It was nice. The stats say whether Super Eight or before, it spins more when you bowl slower. I didn’t need a second invitation. (England) are outstanding obviously, quick turnaround for us, we’ll see how the pitch plays,” Santner said.
In response, Sri Lanka faltered right out of the gates, as their lead batter Pathum Nissanka was bowled off the first ball of the innings with a peach of a delivery by pacer Matt Henry. After a wicket maiden in first over, Henry claimed comeback man Charith Asalanka in the next and finished with figures of 2 for 3 in two overs.
Rachin finishes with best T20I figures
The home team was on the ropes at 19 for 2 after six overs, their lowest total in powerplay at T20 World Cups. To make matters worse, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake fell on two successive legal deliveries, to near identical stumpings off Rachin Ravindra. The left-arm spinner finished with 4 for 19, his best figures in T20I cricket.
Kamindu Mendis (31) and Dunith Wellalage (29) offered some resistance, but the scales were heavily tipped against them by the time. Not only did the co-hosts lose wickets regularly, they were unable to build any momentum and put the pressure back on their rivals. Sri Lanka scored only 38 runs off boundaries, as opposed to 100 by their rivals.
“It’s always pleasing to take a win like that. Amazing, specially at their home, awesome performance. I guess understanding that slower was better, and a few stats were put out there… Under 85ks. Santner is obviously a master at that craft, so we decided slower is the plan. The Sri Lanka crowd is fantastic… Reminds you why you play the game. There was a period where they were screaming ‘New Zealand, New Zealand’, so credit to them…” said Rachin Ravindra, who was named Player of the Match.
Brief scores: New Zealand 168 for seven in 20 overs (Finn Allen 23, Rachin Ravindra 32, Mitchell Santner 47, Cole McConchie 31; Maheesh Theekshana 3/30, Dushmantha Chameera 3/38) beat Sri Lanka 107 for eight in 20 overs (Kamindu Mendis 31, Dunith Wellalage 29; Rachin Ravindra 4/27, Matt Henry 2/3).
