New Zealand was eliminated from T20 World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka, the team led by Mitchell Santner reached near the semi-finals.

New Delhi. New Zealand was eliminated from the T20 World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by 61 runs in its second match of Super 8. While chasing the target of 169 runs set by New Zealand, the Sri Lankan team collapsed at 107 runs for 8 wickets. For Sri Lanka, Kamindu Mendis scored 31 runs while Dunith Velalage scored 29 runs. The most successful bowler from New Zealand was Rachin Ravindra who took four wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs. New Zealand’s first Super 8 match against Pakistan was canceled due to rain. Mitchell Santner’s team has reached second position in Group 2 with four points, while England is at first position with four points. This is Sri Lanka’s second consecutive defeat in the Super 8 and it is at the bottom in the points table.

The Sri Lankan team, which came to chase the target of 169 runs set by New Zealand, made a bad start. Fast bowler Matt Henry clean bowled Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka on the very first ball. After this the process of falling of Sri Lankan wickets started. Kusal Mendis was out after scoring 11 runs while Charit Asalanka contributed 5 runs. Pawan Ratnayake was out after scoring 10 runs while captain Dasun Shanaka was out after scoring 3 runs in five balls. Dusan Hemanta returned to the pavilion after scoring three runs. Kamindu Mendis returned to the pavilion after scoring 31 runs. For New Zealand, spinner Rachin Ravindra took 4 wickets.

Three aftershocks of Teekshana tried to derail New Zealand
Earlier, three blows from Sri Lankan off-spinner Mahish Teekshana tried to derail New Zealand but captain Mitchell Santner (47 runs) and Cole McConkie (31 not out) made a brilliant comeback to reach 168 runs for 7 wickets. New Zealand had lost four wickets for nine runs between 9.3 and 12.1 overs with Teekshana (30/3) turning the match in the middle overs. But McConkie took the lead in the end while Santner made a vital partnership of 84 runs in just 47 balls for seven wickets at the crucial time.

Santner scored unbeaten 47 runs
Santner hit four sixes and two fours during his 26-ball innings. He was out on the last ball while McConkie hit three fours and two sixes in 23 balls. New Zealand’s score was 98 runs for six wickets after 16 overs. Then McConkey scored 18 runs by hitting two sixes and a four on Dushmantha Chameera (38/3). After this, Santner hit one four and two sixes on Sri Lanka’s best bowler Teekshana in the 18th over, scoring 21 runs.

New Zealand team scored 70 runs in the last four overs
Thanks to these two, the New Zealand team scored 70 runs in the last four overs. Sri Lankan bowlers bowled well but faltered in the last overs due to wrong line and length. After Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl, off-spinner Teekshana and fast bowler Chameera together restrained New Zealand by taking six wickets. England has already reached the next round from Group Two. New Zealand had scored 73 runs for two wickets in nine overs. Finn Allen scored 23 runs in 13 balls with three fours and one six while Rachin Ravindra scored 32 runs in 22 balls (three fours, one six).

Teekshana sent Allen to the pavilion on carrom ball
After this Teekshana put a break in his innings. He dismissed Allen with his carrom ball. Later, after dismissing Ravindra, he did not even allow Mark Chapman to open his account within three balls. Chameera supported him brilliantly. Bowling at a speed of more than 140 kmph, he dismissed Tim Seifert (08) and Glenn Phillips (18) while Dunith Velalge dismissed Daryl Mitchell (03).