Sri Lanka’s hopes of advancing in the T20 World Cup were dashed after a disappointing 61-run defeat to New Zealand in Colombo. The host nation needed a win to keep their semi-final aspirations alive but struggled to capitalize on a strong position during New Zealand’s innings.
Initially, Sri Lanka’s bowlers effectively contained New Zealand, limiting them to 98 for 6 after 16 overs. However, a late-game offensive from Mitchell Santner, who scored 47 runs off 26 balls, along with Cole McConchie’s 31 not out off 23, turned the tide. They propelled New Zealand to a formidable total by amassing 70 runs in the final four overs.
Faced with a target of 169, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faltered significantly. Fast bowler Matt Henry set the tone early by taking two wickets during the powerplay, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 29 for 4 after nine overs. Rachin Ravindra’s impressive bowling performance only compounded their woes, as he claimed four wickets for just 27 runs.
Despite some initial promise from bowlers like Maheesh Theekshana, who took three wickets for nine runs in his opening spell, Sri Lanka was unable to maintain their momentum. After losing to England in their previous Super 8s match, the team exited the tournament with a sense of disappointment.
Meanwhile, New Zealand remains in contention for a place in the semi-finals and can secure their spot with a win against England on Friday. As Sri Lanka prepares to face Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday, they will aim to conclude their campaign on a positive note despite their early elimination.