The Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Super 8 match in Colombo was a one-sided affair that saw the Black Caps take a massive step toward the semi-finals. Defending a competitive 168/7, New Zealand’s spin department, led by a career-best Rachin Ravindra (4/27), dismantled the Sri Lankan chase, restricting them to a mere 107/8. This victory officially eliminates the co-hosts from the T20 World Cup 2026 and puts Pakistan in a position where they no longer control their own destiny.
Match Summary: The Spin-Strangle in Pallekele
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Super 8 - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand
Despite a mid-innings collapse that saw them slip to 84/6, New Zealand staged a remarkable recovery thanks to a 70-run death-overs blitz from Mitchell Santner (47) and *Cole McConchie (31)**. Sri Lanka’s spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera, initially dominated, but the final four overs went for 70 runs, shifting the momentum entirely. In response, Sri Lanka’s top order crumbled against the pace of Matt Henry before Ravindra’s left-arm spin ripped through the middle order. The co-hosts never found their rhythm, falling 61 runs short in front of a stunned home crowd at the Premadasa.
Playing XI
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.
New Zealand
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
Career Best: Rachin Ravindra’s 4/27 is his best-ever bowling figure in T20 Internationals.
Death Over Carnage: New Zealand scored 70 runs in the last 4 overs, the most conceded by SL in the death overs this tournament.
Premadasa Squeeze: Sri Lanka’s Powerplay score of 20/2 is their lowest in this T20 World Cup.
Elimination: Sri Lanka is the first team in Group 2 to be officially knocked out of the Super 8s.
Innings Breakdown
First Innings: The Santner-McConchie Rescue Act
The first half of the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Super 8 was a tale of two halves. The Kiwis started fast but were strangled by Theekshana (3/30), losing 4 wickets for just 9 runs in the middle overs. At 84/6, a sub-120 score looked likely. However, captain Mitchell Santner played a gem of an innings, smashing four sixes, while McConchie provided the perfect foil. Their aggressive running and clean hitting against the Lankan pacers at the death propelled the score to a match-winning 168.
Second Innings: Ravindra Spins a Web
Chasing 169, Sri Lanka needed a fast start but got the opposite. Matt Henry removed Nissanka for a golden duck, and the chase stalled immediately. Rachin Ravindra then took center stage, removing Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in his first over. As the required rate climbed past 12, the Lankan batters played desperate shots, only to pick out fielders in the deep. Only Kamindu Mendis (31) and Wellalage (29) offered resistance, but the clinical Kiwi fielding ensured there was no way back.
Top Performers
Rachin Ravindra (32 runs & 4/27) - Player of the Match
Ravindra was the undisputed star of the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Super 8 clash. He provided a steadying hand with the bat when wickets were falling early and then turned the game on its head with the ball. His four-wicket haul included the crucial stumping of Kusal Mendis, which effectively broke the back of the Sri Lankan pursuit. His ability to extract bounce and turn on a tiring Premadasa track made him unplayable.
Mitchell Santner (47 off 26 balls & 1/19)
The Kiwi skipper led by example. His counter-attacking 47 shifted the pressure back onto the Sri Lankan bowlers just when they looked set to bowl New Zealand out cheaply. Santner’s experience showed as he targeted the short boundaries and manipulated the field. He followed up his batting heroics with a trademark tidy spell of left-arm spin, conceding less than five runs per over to finish the Lankan resistance.
Maheesh Theekshana (3/30 off 4 overs)
On a disappointing night for the co-hosts, Theekshana was the only bright spot. He bowled with incredible control, picking up the wickets of Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra during the Kiwis’ mid-innings wobble. His carrom ball was particularly effective, though he lacked support from the other end during the death-overs onslaught that eventually cost Sri Lanka the game.
Key Moments & Turning Points:
The Death Blitz: Sri Lanka had New Zealand reeling at 84/6 in the 15th over. However, Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie added 70 runs in the final 4 overs. This recovery transformed a below-par total into a formidable target on a turning Premadasa pitch.
Ravindra’s First Over: Coming on in the 7th over, Rachin Ravindra dismissed Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. This double-wicket over sucked the life out of the Sri Lankan chase, leaving them at 36/4.
What This Result Means for Pakistan
The 61-run victory for New Zealand is a hammer blow for Pakistan. New Zealand now sits in second place with 3 points and a massive NRR of +3.050. For Pakistan, who have only 1 point and a negative NRR, the path is now almost impossible. Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka by a massive margin in their final game and hope that England crushes New Zealand in their final fixture. Even then, the NRR gap is so large that Pakistan likely needs a 100-run win to even stand a chance.
T20 World Cup 2026 Super-8 Group 2 Points Table
Super 8 - Group 2 Points Table
Can Pakistan still qualify for the semi-finals after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka?
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