T20 WC, Super 8: Co-hosts Sri Lanka face Kiwi challenge a…

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8: Sri Lanka must address their struggle against spin bowlers when they face New Zealan

What's on the menu for Thursday? A double header in Group 1 awaits us on 26th February, and both games carry major implications in the race for the semi-finals. First up, in Ahmedabad at 9.30 am GMT, South Africa and West Indies square off in what could be a decisive clash. The winner will take a giant stride towards sealing a spot in the knockouts. Later in the day, at 1.30 pm GMT in Chennai, two teams who will have one eye on that earlier game take the field as India and Zimbabwe lock horns.

As always, you can join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers! Qualification scenario in Group 2 – England, with their win over Pakistan on Tuesday, are already through to the semi-finals. With Sri Lanka now out of the race, it is down to New Zealand and Pakistan for the remaining spot in the group. New Zealand's next assignment is against England on 27th February. A win for the Kiwis will seal their place in the final four.

Pakistan play a day later, on 28th February, against Sri Lanka. By then, they will have clarity on whether they are in the race. If New Zealand slip up against England, Pakistan will remain in the hunt and would need a win big enough to overtake the Kiwis on net run rate. At the moment, Pakistan's NRR is -0.461, while New Zealand enjoy a massive cushion at +3.050. Wicket spun more than they thought – The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner admits that Sri Lanka bowled exceptionally well through the middle phase, picking up three quick wickets and tightening the squeeze.

He adds that the plan, alongside Cole McConchie, was to push the total towards 140, and feels that getting past 160 in the end was a strong recovery. Details that it was a kind of pitch where if you get in, you need to give yourself some time, and then cash in on the opportunities. Says it looked like a good wicket, but it spun more than they expected. He praises McConchie’s effort, mentioning that both of them had a cautious start but benefited from taking the innings deep. He also observes that the pitch offered more turn than expected for both sides, which allowed spinners to control their lengths, especially with the bigger boundaries in play. On the bowling front, Santner says the conditions made it clear that spin would play a major role, something reinforced by watching earlier matches.

He adds that while spin dominated, seamers were still effective in patches, making it a balanced effort overall. Can't rely on one or two individuals with the bat – Sri Lanka's skipper, Dasun Shanaka says that it is really embarrassing to disappoint the fans. Adds that the partnership between Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie took the game away from them. He states that he didn't expect the pitch to turn the way it did, as it was a new track. Dasun shares that they wanted to restrict their opposition to under 130, but the opposition batters simply outplayed them.

He also gives credit to the Kiwi bowlers who bowled the correct lengths. Mentions that he is now looking forward to facing Pakistan, and he hopes that his batting unit takes a bit more responsibility. Sri Lanka let it slip from 84/6 – After being asked to bat first, New Zealand raced away to 30 in the first three overs before the home side stormed back into the game through their spinners. With New Zealand reduced to 84/6, Sri Lanka looked firmly in control, but just as it happened when they faced Ireland in the group stage, where Ireland had things under control before losing their way at the death, the script flipped.

This time, the island nation was on the receiving end as New Zealand found a way to recover strongly through Cole McConchie and Mitchell Santner. The wheels came off for the Lankans at the back end as they conceded 70 runs in the final 4 overs. Sri Lanka beaten at their game – 17 overs of spin from New Zealand proved too much for the home side to handle. After Matt Henry struck early in the Powerplay to do the initial damage, the spinners took over and tightened their grip on the contest. Just 20 runs came off the Powerplay, and Kusal Mendis, struggling with his leg, did not help the Sri Lankan cause. Like in the England game, the hosts left much to be desired with their shot selection, and Ravindra in particular spun a web around the batters.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – No surprises as Rachin Ravindra wins the award for his all-round heroics. 32 off 22 with the bat, followed by a superb bowling effort of 4/27. Rachin receives the award from Simon Doull. Says it is pleasing to get the win and play a good game of cricket. Credits Sri Lanka as well, calling them a strong side at home. Adds that it was awesome to see contributions coming from across the board. On being asked about what worked with the ball, he details that understanding that bowling slower was better.

He also highlights that a few stats were put out there to bowl under 85 kph to get success on this pitch. Says Santner is a master at that craft, so they decided that the slower they bowl, the better. Also detail that Maheesh also bowled to them with those slow offies, which helped them understand better. On contributing in all facets of the game, Rachin says it is just about contributing to the team.

Adds if you can bat in the top three and bowl some overs, it will help the team massively. So he feels good to contribute with both bat and ball. On playing in front of the Sri Lankan crowd, he says the atmosphere was incredible. Shares that walking out and hearing the national anthems, he adds, serves as a reminder of why they play the game. He also notes that the fans were chanting 'New Zealand, New Zealand' at times, and credits the supporters for turning up in huge numbers as well.

A comprehensive win for New Zealand – Who would have thought the night would unfold like this when the Kiwis were under the pump with the bat? They not only turned the game around but, with this 61-run win, they have boosted their net run rate significantly, which could prove crucial in the qualification race. For Sri Lanka, it is a major disappointment. They have been found wanting with the bat in both matches in the Super 8s.

With this result, they can no longer qualify for the semis. Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 61 RUNS! It's all over for Sri Lanka! In front of the middle pole, full in length, Dushmantha Chameera advances down the track and mistimes the heave to the right of mid-wicket for a single.  Glenn Phillips to Maheesh Theekshana, Too full, around off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, OUT! TOP EDGE AND CAUGHT! Phillips loves every bit of that, and why not? Full and fired in on leg, Wellalage goes hard on the slog sweep behind square on the leg side, playing it aerially. He gets a top edge that flies high to the left of Ravindra at deep square leg. Rachin tracks it well, charges across, and completes the catch. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Top drawer effort in the deep from Chapman! Full on off, he nails the slog sweep between deep square and deep mid-wicket.

It races away, but Chapman charges across to his left and dives full stretch to pull it back just in time. Ravindra is quick on the relay and gets rid of the ball, throwing it to the keeper. The batters don’t run. There’s a check to see if any part of Chapman’s leg made contact with the ropes while holding the ball in hand, but the replay confirms it’s a clean save. If this was forwarded to you, subscribe for direct delivery and discover more newsletters.

Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Much fuller, on off, Chameera shimmies down to flick but gets an inside edge towards the backward square leg region for a single. Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Pushed full and on off, Chameera tries the paddle sweep, but gets beaten. Mitchell Santner to Dushmantha Chameera, Slows it up again, and Chameera pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Santner to Dushmantha Chameera, JAFFA! Cunningly flighted on a fuller length, in front of off. It lands, grips away to beat Chameera's attempted sweep shot. The ball bounces over the off pole and the keeper gathers it. Mitchell Santner to Dunith Wellalage, Drag-downer, at 76.1 kph, outside off, Dunith Wellalage is quick to rock back and cuts it to deep point for another run. Mitchell Santner to Dushmantha Chameera, More flight on a short length, on middle.

Dushmantha Chameera hangs deep in the crease and dinks it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Mitchell Santner to Dunith Wellalage, On a length, on middle and leg, Dunith Wellalage advances down a bit and eases it down to long on for a single. Mitchell Santner to Dunith Wellalage, Goes for the sweep shot on this full ball, but misses as it grips and turns in to beat the bat and rap him on the front pad.

Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, In-between length, outside off, crunched to deep cover-point for a single. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA! Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, A slight appeal for LBW, but not given. Pitched fuller and around off, spinning in sharply with a bit of bounce. Dushmantha Chameera tries to sweep, but gets it off the gloves and the ball lobs on the bounce towards Finn Allen at short fine leg.

A single taken. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Fuller than the previous ball, on off, Dunith Wellalage drags his hands in front after getting down on a knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for one more. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Closer to the stumps, on a shorter length, Dunith Wellalage stays leg side and dabs it to short third. Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Very sharp spin down the leg side, on a fractionally fuller length.

Dushmantha Chameera misses the flick and the ball deflects off the keeper's gloves and rolls to short fine leg for a bye. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Overpitched on middle, Dunith Wellalage carves it to deep point for a single. Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Short in length, around off, Dunith covers the line and heaves it to deep square leg for a single. A fantastic spell from Rachin Ravindra as he ends with figures of 4-0-27-4.

Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Full, across off, Dunith dabs it down on the off side. Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Shortish delivery, on middle, Dunith Wellalage goes deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep square leg's right for two runs. Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, FOUR! A good effort from Henry, all in vain. Short and wide outside off, Wellalage stays deep in the crease and rolls his wrists on the pull, sending it behind square on the leg side and beats the dive of Henry to his left for a boundary.

Rachin Ravindra to Dushmantha Chameera, A bit too full, on leg, Dushmantha Chameera whips it to the right of long on for a single. Rachin Ravindra to Dushmantha Chameera, Drifts in and then spins away from middle. Dushmantha Chameera is nowhere close to the pitch of the ball to defend and the ball spins past his outside edge to beat him all ends up. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, On a good length, off break outside the off stump.

Dunith shapes to cut off the backfoot and is beaten on the outside edge. Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Sharp spin on a fuller length, outside off, Dushmantha Chameera presses ahead to block, but gets an inside edge to the square leg region for a single. Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Goes straighter this time, full and outside off, Dushmantha Chameera steps across off, gets down to his knee and tries to sweep, but misses to connect.

Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, The off break, on a length, outside off, Dunith slashes it like a knife to deep backward point for a single. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Pushed through, full and around off, Dunith leans forward with a big stride and eases it through the vacant point region for a brace. Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, SIX! Into the stands! GP drops it a bit too full and on off, Dunith Wellalage sits down on a knee and slog sweeps it behind deep backward square leg for a six.

Dushmantha Chameera comes out to the middle. Glenn Phillips to roll his arm over now. Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, OUT! CAUGHT! Kamindu Mendis could not have picked out the fielder in the deep any better and he has picked the best fielder in the New Zealand side. A half-tracker, on middle and leg. Mendis goes deep in the crease, swivels and pulls it hard. He hits it well but does not get any elevation.

Hits it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket, where Glenn Phillips takes the reverse cup catch near his chest. Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, On a length, on the stumps, drilled down to the right of Ferguson at long on this time. Two more taken. Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Flat and short, on middle and leg. Kamindu stands tall and smashes it over the leaping mid-wicket fielder for a couple more.

Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Short ball, spinning back in from middle. Kamindu Mendis pulls it between long on and deep mid-wicket and by the time Lockie Ferguson cuts it off to his left from long on, they hurry back for two. Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Slows it down now, on a good length, Kamindu reverse sweeps it hard but can't beat backward point. Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Pushed down leg, on a length.

Mendis walks over to the off side for the reverse but misses. Wide not given as the umpire feels that had Kamindu been in his standing position, the ball would have hit him on the pads. DRINKS BREAK! Sri Lanka are staring down the barrel at 71/6. This is the last recognised batting pair out in the middle, and the required run rate has gone over 16. Given the slowness of the wicket and the turn the spinners have extracted, New Zealand will back themselves to close out the game from here with still plenty overs of spin at their disposal.

Mitchell Santner brings himself on after the break. 2-0-9-0 so far for the Kiwi skipper. Glenn Phillips to Kamindu Mendis, Length ball, on middle, Kamindu Mendis hangs back and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Summary

This report covers the latest developments in pakistan. The information presented highlights key changes and updates that are relevant to those following this topic.

---