NZ vs SL T20 World Cup 2026: Kiwis Pull Off a Miracle, Sri Lanka Knocked Out
By Crick tv
Updated: Feb 26, 2026 10:44 AM
If you thought T20 cricket couldn't get any more unpredictable, Match 46 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 just proved us all wrong. Set under the roaring floodlights of the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, this Super 8 Group 2 clash delivered absolute cinema.
New Zealand crushed the co-hosts by 61 runs, keeping their semi-final dreams very much alive while officially ruling Sri Lanka out of the tournament.
Here is a complete breakdown of how this explosive, rollercoaster of a match unfolded.
The Great Kiwi Rescue: From 84/6 to 168/7
For the first half of the match, New Zealand’s batting card looked like a disaster movie. After being asked to bat first, the Black Caps were suffocated by Sri Lanka's spin attack. With Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera breathing fire, New Zealand collapsed to a terrifying 84/6 in the 13th over.
The home crowd was deafening. The momentum was entirely with Sri Lanka. And then, the script flipped.
Captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie orchestrated one of the most lethal counter-attacks of the tournament:
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The Captain's Knock: Santner unleashed pure carnage, smashing 47 off just 26 balls (including 4 massive sixes).
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The Anchor: McConchie held down the fort, finishing unbeaten on 31 off 23 balls.
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The Damage: Together, they stitched a record-breaking 84-run partnership, plundering an unbelievable 70 runs in the final four overs to drag New Zealand to a formidable 168/7.
The Chase: Strangled in the Powerplay
Chasing 169 on a gripping Colombo pitch required a solid start, but the Sri Lankan chase was dead in the water from ball one.
Pacer Matt Henry delivered an absolute peach to clean-bowl Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck on the very first delivery. Henry’s opening spell (2/14) completely rocked the islanders, restricting them to a suffocating 20/2 in the powerplay.
Once the pace damage was done, the spinners took over. Rachin Ravindra—who had already chipped in with 32 runs with the bat—spun a total web around the Lankan middle order. Luring batters out of their crease with extra bounce and sharp turn, Ravindra bagged a career-best 4/27, ultimately earning him the Player of the Match honors. Sri Lanka limped to 107/8, bowing out of their home tournament.
Quick Scorecard
|
Team |
Score |
Top Performer |
|
New Zealand |
168/7 (20 Overs) |
Mitchell Santner (47 off 26) & Rachin Ravindra (32 off 22) |
|
Sri Lanka |
107/8 (20 Overs) |
Kamindu Mendis (31 off 23) & Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) |
Result: New Zealand won by 61 runs.
The Aftermath: Group 2 is Wide Open 🔥
This win is a massive flex for New Zealand. Not only did they secure two crucial points, but the 61-run victory margin violently boosted their Net Run Rate to +3.050. They are now heavily favored to grab a semi-final spot alongside England.
The Ripple Effect:
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Sri Lanka: The co-hosts are officially out. Despite their passionate fans beating drums until the very last ball, the team just couldn't handle the pressure.
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Pakistan: This result is an absolute nightmare for Pakistan. With New Zealand's NRR skyrocketing, Pakistan's semi-final hopes are now hanging by the thinnest of threads.
This match was a masterclass in holding your nerve. New Zealand proved exactly why you can never, ever count them out of an ICC tournament.