Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 46th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 at Colombo, February 25, 2026 Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Their innings was marked by a solid partnership between Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka. Fernando scored 42 runs off 36 balls while Nissanka contributed 35 runs off 33 deliveries. The duo added 74 runs for the second wicket, which laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's total of 156/5. New Zealand's chase was led by Finn Allen who top-scored with 63 runs off 48 balls. However, their efforts were hampered by the Sri Lankan bowlers who kept a tight grip on the game. The introduction of spinners by Sri Lanka proved to be crucial as New Zealand struggled to rotate the strike. The turning point in the match came when Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga dismissed Devon Conway for 16 runs, reducing New Zealand to 82/3. Although Allen continued to bat well, he was eventually run out attempting a second run, which further dented New Zealand's chances. Sri Lanka's bowlers then took control of the game, restricting New Zealand to just 124/7 and securing a comfortable 32-run victory. Hasaranga finished with figures of 2-24 while Maheesh Theekshana picked up 1-20 in his four overs. The win has lifted Sri Lanka's chances of progressing to the semi-finals, where they will face stiff competition from other top teams.#Sri_Lanka #Finn_Allen #Devon_Conway #Colombo #Pathum_Nissanka #Wanindu_Hasaranga #Maheesh_Theekshana #New_Zealand #Avishka_Fernando
Sri Lanka Stuns New Zealand in T20 World Cup Cricket The 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup has witnessed another thrilling encounter, with Sri Lanka pulling off a stunning upset against the mighty New Zealand. In a match that saw plenty of twists and turns, the Islanders came out on top by five wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first, posting a competitive total of 172 runs for the loss of six wickets. The Kiwi top-order batsmen got off to a flying start, with Martin Guptill (31) and Finn Allen (23) putting on 54 runs for the opening stand. However, Sri Lanka's spin bowling duo of Wanindu Hasaranga (2/24) and Maheesh Theekshana (1/28) kept the Kiwis in check, limiting their scoring to a moderate pace. In response, Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka (42) and Kusal Mendis (30), set the tone for their team's chase. The pair put on 73 runs for the opening stand before Nissanka was dismissed by Trent Boult. However, Dasun Shanaka (35 not out) and Thisara Perera (15 not out) took charge towards the end of the innings, guiding Sri Lanka to a thrilling five-wicket victory. The win has given Sri Lanka a much-needed boost in their quest for a quarterfinal spot. With this victory, they have leapfrogged England into second place in Group 1 with four points from three matches. New Zealand, on the other hand, remains at the top of the group with six points from four matches. The match was filled with excitement and drama, with both teams giving their all to emerge v...#Sri_Lanka #Abu_Dhabi #Finn_Allen #Dasun_Shanaka #Pathum_Nissanka #New_Zealand #Martin_Guptill #Wanindu_Hasaranga #Maheesh_Theekshana #Kusal_Mendis #Thisara_Perera #Trent_Boult #ICC_Mens_T20_World_Cup #Sheikh_Zayed_Stadium
