The co-hosts Sri Lanka were eliminated from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after suffering a comprehensive 61-run defeat against New Zealand in their second Super 8 encounter played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday (25th February).
Having won the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first and made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Charith Asalanka in place of Kamil Mishara.
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New Zealand posted a competitive 168 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs after recovering from a middle-order slump. The Kiwis were struggling at 84 for 6 at the end of the 12th over before skipper Mitchell Santner led the revival with a counter-attacking 47 off 26 deliveries, which included two fours and four sixes.
He was well supported by Cole McConchie as the pair stitched together a crucial 84-run stand for the seventh wicket to shift the momentum firmly in New Zealand’s favour.
Sri Lanka’s bowling unit had its moments, with Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana standing out, claiming three wickets apiece.
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However, the hosts’ batting woes continued to haunt them in yet another crucial game. Chasing 169 for victory, Sri Lanka never gained momentum and were restricted to 107 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Kamindu Mendis was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with a 23-ball 31, which included four boundaries, while Dunith Wellalage provided some late resistance with a fighting 29 off 23 deliveries, hitting two fours and a six.
Left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra starred with the ball for New Zealand, producing a match-winning spell of 4 for 27 to dismantle the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | c Kamindu Mendis b Dushmantha Chameera | 8 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Finn Allen | c & b Maheesh Theekshana | 23 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 176.92 |
| Rachin Ravindra | c Dushan Hemantha b Maheesh Theekshana | 32 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 145.45 |
| Glenn Phillips | b Dushmantha Chameera | 18 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Daryl Mitchell | b Dunith Wellalage | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Mark Chapman | b Maheesh Theekshana | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mitchell Santner | not out | 47 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 180.77 |
| Cole McConchie | not out | 31 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 134.78 |
| Extras | 6 (b 0 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 5, pen 0) |
| Total | 168/6 (20 Overs, RR: 8.4) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dilshan Madusanka | 3 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 11.33 | |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 30 | 3 | 7.50 | |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 38 | 3 | 9.50 | |
| Dushan Hemantha | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 | |
| Charith Asalanka | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 5.33 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | b Matt Henry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Kusal Mendis | st Tim Seifert b Rachin Ravindra | 11 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | c Mitchell Santner b Matt Henry | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | st Tim Seifert b Rachin Ravindra | 10 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Glenn Phillips b Mitchell Santner | 31 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 134.78 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Rachin Ravindra b Finn Allen | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Dushan Hemantha | c Daryl Mitchell b Rachin Ravindra | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Dunith Wellalage | c Rachin Ravindra b Glenn Phillips | 29 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 126.09 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | not out | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 58.33 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 7 (b 1 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 5, pen 0) |
| Total | 107/8 (20 Overs, RR: 5.35) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1.50 | |
| Cole McConchie | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 6.67 | |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 4.75 | |
| Lockie Ferguson | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 | |
| Ish Sodhi | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 | |
| Rachin Ravindra | 4 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 6.75 | |
| Glenn Phillips | 4 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 5.25 | |
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