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New Zealand have eliminated Sri Lanka from the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup. The Kiwi women's team registered a thumping 102-run win over the Islanders, and with a better Net Run Rate (NRR) they kept their semi-final hopes alive. Batting first, Sophie Devine's team scored 162/3 in 20 overs and needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 123 runs or less. On the back of a stellar bowling display, New Zealand bundled out Sri Lanka for just 60 runs in 15.5 overs at Boland Park in Paarl on February 19 (Sunday). Now, all eyes are on the tie between South Africa and Bangladesh.
If South Africa manages to beat Bangladesh, they will tie New Zealand and Sri Lanka in points but will qualify for the semi-finals with better NRR. If Bangladesh defeats South Africa, then New Zealand will qualify for the semi-finals.
Bates, Kerr shine under pressure
Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr scored fantastic half-centuries that gave New Zealand a chance to better their NRR. Bates scored 56 runs off 49 balls with the help of six fours while Kerr added 66 runs off 48 balls with the help of six fours. The dup registered a 110-run partnership for the second wicket after opening batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout departed after scoring 32 runs off 20 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Achini Kulasuriya and Inoka Ranaweera were the only bowlers to pick wickets. Both bowlers bagged a wicket each.
Abysmal display by Lankan batters
In their run chase, Sri Lanka's batting line-up folded like a pack of cards as New Zealand bowlers ran riot with an impeccable display of bowling. Out of the 11 batters, nine Lankan willow-wielders failed to reach double figures while captain Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 19 runs off 21 balls.
For New Zealand, Kerr and Lea Tahuhu bagged two wickets each, while Eden Carson, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe and Fran Jonas bagged a wicket each.
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