Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand, ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: Kiwis Crush Lankans With Emphatic 61-Run Win
New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 61 runs in their 2nd Super 8 match to officially knock the co-hosts out of the on-going ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After being reduced to 84/6 by Sri Lanka’s spinners, the Kiwis staged a remarkable recovery thanks to an outstanding 70-run stand between skipper Mitchell Santner (47) and Cole McConchie (31). Their effort powered the Blackcaps to 168/7. In response, Sri Lanka’s chase took a major hit immediately as Matt Henry struck on the very first ball, removing Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck. Rachin Ravindra, who was also adjudged man of the match for figures of 4/27, went on to single handedly decimate the Lankan middle order. The co-hosts were eventually stopped at a dismal 107/8. This victory not only handed the Kiwis 2 important points, but also a boost in their hopes of making it to the semi-finals. Watch some of the best photos from the match.
Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach Lasith Malinga checks balls before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lankan supporters cheer for their team before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's players stand for their national anthem before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lankan players stand for their national anthem before the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Tim Seifert plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Finn Allen hits a six during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana takes the catch to get New Zealand's Finn Allen during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Tim Seifert leaves the ground after losing his wicket during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, left, Glenn Phillips have a chat during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Dushmantha Chameera celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Glenn Phillips during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Mark Chapman during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage, right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Cole McConchie plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's captain Mitchel Santner plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Matt Henry, centre, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka, left, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Pavan Rathnayake plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Tim Seifert stumps successfully Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Tim Seifert stumps out Sri Lanka's Pavan Rathnayake during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka, centre, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell takes the catch to get Sri Lanka's Dushan Hemantha during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips takes the catch to get Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
New Zealand's Glenn Phillips, right, celebrates with Mitchel Santner the wicket of Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka. | Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena
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