KEY POINTS
- Mitchell Santner smashed 47 to rescue New Zealand.
- Rachin Ravindra took 4 wickets to dismantle Sri Lanka.
- Pakistan now faces a difficult qualification scenario.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: New Zealand delivered a clinical all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by a massive 61 runs in a crucial Super Eights Group 2 encounter at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The emphatic victory has not only boosted the Blackcaps’ net run rate but has also severely complicated Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals.
Sent into bat first, New Zealand recovered from a dramatic middle-order collapse to post a competitive total of 168 for 7, thanks to a captain’s knock from Mitchell Santner.
In reply, Sri Lanka’s chase never got off the ground as they were skittled out for just 107 for 8, handing the Kiwis a dominant win.
New Zealand rise to the occasion in Colombo to keep their #T20WorldCup 2026 semi-final hopes alive 💪
📝: https://t.co/hMg2rAXfsc pic.twitter.com/cUmI1Uca22
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2026
Santner propels New Zealand
New Zealand’s innings was a tale of two halves. Openers Finn Allen (23) and Tim Seifert (8) provided a brisk start, but it was the spinners who brought Sri Lanka back into the game.
Maheesh Theekshana (3-30) and Dushmantha Chameera (3-38) triggered a stunning collapse, reducing the Blackcaps from a comfortable 75 for 3 to a precarious 84 for 6.
Just when it seemed New Zealand would fall short of a defendable total, captain Mitchell Santner launched a breathtaking counter-attack.
Santner smashed 47 off just 26 balls, lacing his innings with four towering sixes. He found able support from Cole McConchie, who remained unbeaten on a composed 31 off 23 balls.
The pair added a record 84-run stand for the seventh wicket, propelling New Zealand to a formidable 168 for 7.
Ravindra runs riot as Sri Lanka collapse under pressure
Chasing 169, Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a nightmare start when pace spearhead Matt Henry cleaned up Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck on the very first ball.
The hosts never recovered from that early blow.
The star of the show, however, was New Zealand’s spin sensation Rachin Ravindra. The left-arm spinner ran through the Sri Lankan middle order, recording sensational figures of 4 for 27.
A superb spell of 4/27 with the ball and useful runs with the bat propelled Rachin Ravindra to the @aramco POTM🥇
📝: https://t.co/hMg2rAXfsc pic.twitter.com/IE29DuUAqM
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2026
Ravindra removed Kusal Mendis (11), Pavan Rathnayake (10), skipper Dasun Shanaka (3), and Dushan Hemantha (3) to leave the Lankan Lions in tatters.
Kamindu Mendis fought a lone battle with a gritty 31, and Dunith Wellalage chipped in with a late 29, but the required run rate had ballooned beyond reach.
Glenn Phillips and Santner picked up a wicket each as Sri Lanka limped to 107 for 8 at the end of their 20 overs, handing New Zealand a resounding 61-run victory.
Pakistan’s semi-final hopes
The result has massive implications for Group 2. New Zealand’s dominant win, coupled with a significant boost to their net run rate, has placed them in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals.
For Pakistan, the equation has now become extremely difficult. The Men in Green will likely need favourable results from the remaining matches against Sri Lanka on February 28, and New Zealand against England.
