New Zealand has delivered a commanding 61-run victory over Sri Lanka in their crucial Super 8 match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, despite the hosts' one remaining game. The visitors bow the hosts out of the tournament with a score of 168/7 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
New Zealand bows hosts Sri Lanka out of T20 World Cup in Super 8
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first. New Zealand's innings got off to a steady start but suffered a dramatic mid-innings collapse, slipping to 84/6 as host's spinners, led by Maheesh Theekshana, put pressure on the visitors.
However, captain Mitchell Santner powered the side for a superb recovery with 47 off 26 balls, which included four sixes and two fours. He collaborated for an 84-run seventh-wicket stand with Cole McConchie, who added 31* off 23, with three fours and two sixes. Their late acceleration, particularly in the final four overs where New Zealand scored 70 runs, lifted the Black Caps to a competitive 168/7 in 20 overs.
Additionally, Rachin Ravindra shone with the ball, grabbing 4/27 in his four overs, while Matt Henry chipped in with 2/3 in a miserly spell. The all-rounder earned Player of the Match honors for his crucial contributions on both sides of the game as he scored a quick 32 off 22 balls, which included three fours and one six, to help teh Kiwis recover in the batting innings.