Sri Lanka crashed out of the semifinals after losing to New Zealand by 61 runs in the do-or-die encounter of the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, while Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semifinals further dwindled.
In this match played in Colombo, Sri Lanka won and invited New Zealand to bat, with a total of 168 in the table.
New Zealand started the innings in a smoky fashion, but in the middle Sri Lanka controlled New Zealand and bowled them out for 86 runs for 6 wickets.
However, on the seventh wicket, captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie put on a blistering partnership of 84 runs off 48 balls to take the team to a total of 168 runs for 7 wickets.
Mitchell Santner was the top scorer for New Zealand with 47 runs. McConchie was unbeaten in 31 innings. Rachin Ravindra scored 32 runs, Finn Allen scored 23 runs and Glenn Phillips scored 18 runs.
On behalf of Sri Lanka, Mahesh Thiekshana and Dushmantha Chimera dismissed all three bowlers while Dinath Velalage got one wicket.
Sri Lanka Batting:
Chasing a mountain-like target on the spin track, the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to run away, returning to the pavilion with their first four batsmen for just 29 runs in the 9th over.
Patham Nisanka was dismissed for zero, Kaushal Mendes for 11, Charith Asalanka for 5 and Pawan Rattanaike for 10 runs.
Shanaka and Commando Mendes put on 16 runs for the fifth wicket, but Shanaka was out for a total of 46.
Sri Lanka scored 13 runs on the sixth wicket, but Hemantha also took a total of 59, while a partnership of 18 runs was made on the seventh wicket, while Sri Lanka’s last hope, Commando Mendes, also returned to the pavilion with a total of 77, he scored 3.
Sri Lanka’s eighth wicket fell on 105 runs when Velalage returned to the pavilion after scoring 29 runs.
Sri Lanka scored 107 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
For New Zealand, part-timer Rachin Ravindra dismissed 4 wickets, Matt Henry took two wickets, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner took one wicket each.
Sri Lanka is out, Pakistan’s troubles are increasing
This Super Eight Group 2 match between the two teams was crucial for the survival of both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the event, where now after the defeat, Sri Lanka’s journey to the World Cup has ended and Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals have dwindled further.
This match saw a change in the Sri Lankan team with Kamil Mishra replacing veteran Charith Asalanka.
Sri Lanka captains were Dasan Shanaka, Patham Nissanka, Kaushal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Pawan Rattananayake, Kamando Mendis, Dinath Velalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushantha Chimera, Mahesh Thakshan, Dilshan Madushanka.
The New Zealand team consisted of captain Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Fan Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ash Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson.
