New Zealand had no choice but to win against Sri Lanka to stay in the race for the semi-finals. Because Pakistan and Afghanistan are chasing them right behind in the semi-race. In such a match, New Zealand took a big win. They bowled out the Lankans for 171 runs and in 23.2 overs, they won by 5 wickets. It increased New Zealand’s chances of playing in the semi-finals, making the equation difficult for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
As a result of this victory, after all the matches, New Zealand’s points are 10. Their net run rate is +0.743. Pakistan and Afghanistan have 8 points with one match remaining. Their net run rates are +0.036 and -0.338 respectively. In other words, to overtake New Zealand in the race for the semis, these two teams will not only have to win their next match, but it will have to be by a large margin.
New Zealand scored 86 runs in the opening pair against Sri Lanka at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday (November 9) in a run chase. Rachin Ravindra returned to the pavilion as soon as Devon Conway was dismissed for 45 runs. Rachin Ravindra scored 42 runs off 34 balls. Then came the 42-run partnership between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell. Williamson’s departure broke the pair after he accumulated 14 runs.
Mark Chapman was run out for 7 runs. Mitchell was dismissed for 43 off 31 balls. Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham helped New Zealand the rest of the way. Phillips scored 17 off 10 balls and Latham scored 2 runs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 171 runs in a batting disaster. They lost three top-order batsmen within 32 runs. Opener Pathum Nisanka 2, Kushal Mendis 6, and Sadeera Samarawickrama were out for 1 run. Opener Kushal Perera continued to bat in a marble-cut style despite the fall of 3 wickets. He picked up a half-century in just 22 balls. Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka departed for 8 runs. At that time, Perera was playing a little bit. He did not take any runs in the next 5 balls after scoring a half-century. He got out in his 28th ball after scoring 51 runs.
After that, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva slowly made a pair of 34 runs. Santner dismissed Mathews and broke their partnership. The Lankan all-rounder scored 16 runs off 27 balls. In the previous match against Bangladesh, he had to leave the field after being timed out and could not play a single ball. Silva departed after 1 more run was added to the scoreboard. He scored 19 runs off 24 balls. After that, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera played for a long time. Both were playing dot balls one after the other. Rachin Ravindra broke their 15-run partnership by returning Dushmantha Chameera. he scored 1 run off 20 balls.
Like the Chamira- Theekshana duo, the Theekshana – Dilshan Madushanka duo also stayed at the crease for a long time. They also made some runs at this time. Along with Theekshana, Madushanka was also contributing to the scoreboard. Sri Lanka’s innings ended when Madushanka got out for 19 runs after a pair of 43 runs. Theekshana was unbeaten with 38 runs off 91 balls. Trent Boult took 3 wickets for the Kiwis. Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, and Mitchell Santner got 2 wickets each. Besides, Tim Southee took 1 wicket.
Sri Lanka – 171/10 (46.4)
New Zealand – 172/5 (23.2)
Result – New Zealand won by 5 wickets
Player of the match – Trent Boult
New Zealand | Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Trent Boult |
Sri Lanka | Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Kusal Perera, Dilshan Madushanka |
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