ISLAMABAD: New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets to earn 2 crucial points in the ICC contest played at Bengaluru, India on Thursday. By winning the game in 23.2 overs, New Zealand further improved their net run rate to make it almost impossible for Pakistan even if Pakistan win Against England on November 11. Kiwis already took the game away after bowled out Sri Lanka on a low total of 171.
Later Chasing 172 to win New Zealand openers took a flying start. Despite chasing a low total both the openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra initiated the innings with over 6 runs per over to chase the target before 30 overs for a better run-rate. Sri Lanka managed to take the first wicket in the 13th over on 86 when Chameera dismissed Devon Conwey on 45. However, till then the damaged has been done. A couple of overs later Theekshana removed the other opener Rachin Ravindra on 42. After the dismissals of both the openers it was just a cup of tea for the skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell.
In the 19th over when the score reached 130, Angelo Mathews took the wicket of Williamson on 14. However, from the other hand Daryl Mitchel continued his aggression to chase the target as soon as possible.
In the 21st over Sri Lanka got another wicket when Mark Chapman got run out on 7. At the stage New Zealand were 145 for 4 while requiring just 27 runs to win in 29.3 overs. In the 23rd over Mathews dismissed Mitchel on 43, but it was too late for Sri Lanka to defend the low total. At the stage New Zealand required just 10 runs in 27.2 overs.
Later New Zealand won the match by 5 wickets with 26.4 overs to spare. After the winning the match with a huge margin New Zealand improved its net run-rate further. Now it would be a herculean task for Pakistan to reach the semifinal. Pakistan would need to beat England but with a huge margin, either with over 280 plus runs (if batting first) or would chase the target in less than 10 overs (if batting second), which seems almost a super natural act and impossible against England.
From Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews took two wickets while Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera got one wicket each.
Sri Lanka Batting
Earlier winning the toss New Zealand decided to bowl first. New Zealand bowlers showed their aggression from the very first over and dominated all batters of Sri Lanka except Kusal Parera. Sri Lanka lost their first wicket in the second over when Southee removed Nissanka on 2. He was followed by the skipper Kusal Mendis who was dismissed by Boult on 6. In the same 5th over when the score was 33, Sri Lanka lost the 3rd wicket. The top and middle order completely collapsed against New Zealand bowlers. When the score reached 70 in the 9th over Sri Lanka lost their 4th wicket Asalanka was removed by Boult on 8.
The opener Kusal Parera was the only batter who despite falling wickets showed full aggression and pushed the score board at a run rate of over 8 per over from the very start. He completed his terrific firing half-century on just 27 balls. However, it was unfortunate for Sri Lanka as he was also got out on the very next ball. After Parera no other batter managed to spend time on the crease except some resistance by the tailenders. In the middle Methews scored 16 and Dhananjaya de Silva added 19 to the total.
Later the number 9 batter Maheesh Theekshana was the one who showed some courage and stayed on the crease till end of the innings. Sri Lanka lost their 9th wicket in the 33rd over when Dushmantha Chameera was dismissed on 1 run. Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka added 43 Crucial runs on the last wicket stand. Interestingly this was the highest partnership for Sri Lanka throughout the innings. Maheesh Theekshana scored an unbeaten 39 while Dilshan Madushanka added 19 runs to the total. Sri Lanka were all out on 171 in 46.4 overs
From New Zealand Trent Boult was the leading wicket taking with 3 for 37 in his 10 over spill. Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson grabbed 2 wickets each while Tim Southee Took 1 wicket.
New Zealand Team: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Sri Lanka Team: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
