ISLAMABAD: New Zealand bowlers managed to restrict Sri Lanka to a low total of 171 in the ICC contest played at Bengaluru, India on Thursday. The contest is not only important for the Kiwis but for Pakistan as will, as easy New Zealand win, would push Pakistan out of the Semi Final run as Pakistan would then require a win from England but with an almost impossible run rate.
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
