New Zealand knock co-hosts Sri Lanka out of T20 World Cup with commanding win

Chasing 169 to stay alive in the tournament, Sri Lanka crumbled to 107-8, their hopes effectively extinguished inside the powerplay after a disastrous start with the bat.

Fast bowler Matt Henry struck with the first ball of the innings, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, and repeated the feat in his next over to remove Charith Asalanka as Sri Lanka slumped to 6-2. They limped to 20-2 after six overs - their second-lowest powerplay total in T20 internationals and the lowest of this tournament.

Any lingering resistance was broken by part-time spinner Rachin Ravindra, who turned the match decisively with a career-best 4-27. Ravindra had both Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake stumped in the same over to leave the hosts reeling at 29-4.

Henry, having taken 2-3 from just two overs, was not required again as Sri Lanka's innings drifted to an inevitable conclusion.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's bowlers had the Black Caps under severe pressure. Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana was outstanding, claiming 3-9 in his first three overs as New Zealand stumbled from 75-2 to 84-6 in the space of a few deliveries. Pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera also impressed, finishing with 3-38.

At 98-6 after 16 overs, Sri Lanka appeared firmly in control.

But the tide turned dramatically.

Captain Mitchell Santner and recalled all-rounder Cole McConchie counterattacked with a stunning 84-run partnership off just 47 balls for the seventh wicket. Santner led the charge with 47 from 26 deliveries, striking two fours and four sixes, while McConchie added an unbeaten 31 from 23 balls.

New Zealand plundered 70 runs from the final four overs, including 21 off the last over from Theekshana, transforming a precarious position into a formidable 168-7.

With two defeats in the Super 8s - including an earlier loss to England cricket team - Sri Lanka bow out of the tournament.

New Zealand, meanwhile, remain firmly in the hunt for a fifth T20 World Cup semi-final. Victory over England on Friday would guarantee their place in the last four. 

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