New Zealand Innings – Steady Platform Sets Up Big Total
Batting first, New Zealand posted a competitive 168/7 in 20 overs despite early hiccups.
- New Zealand put together vital partnerships after early wickets, rotating the strike well and keeping the scoreboard moving on a tricky Colombo surface.
- Rachin Ravindra played a pivotal all-round role and was later named Player of the Match for his contributions.
This total proved challenging given the slow track and tight bowling from the Sri Lanka attack.
Sri Lanka Chase – Middle-Order Collapse
Chasing 169, Sri Lanka never really got going and were restricted to 107/8 in 20 overs.
- The Sri Lankan batting line-up struggled to build partnerships under scoreboard pressure, and regular wickets stalled the momentum.
- Despite a handful of small contributions, Sri Lanka couldn’t make inroads into the target on a demanding pitch.
With this result, Sri Lanka were officially eliminated from the tournament, while New Zealand strengthened their hold on the second qualifying spot in Group 2 alongside England.
Key Performers
- Rachin Ravindra (NZ): All-round influence – Player of the Match
- New Zealand Bowling Unit: Regular breakthroughs to choke Sri Lanka’s chase
Match Summary
New Zealand: 168/7 (20 overs)
Sri Lanka: 107/8 (20 overs)
Result: New Zealand won by 61 runs