T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand defeat Sri Lanka by 61 runs

Game 46 of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 saw Sri Lanka taking on New Zealand. The two sides locked horns at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 25. The clash began with New Zealand coming in to bat first after Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field. 

While Sri Lanka aimed to limit New Zealand, the late push of Mitchell Santner saw the Black Caps post a total of 168 runs, and Sri Lanka was limited to a score of 107 as the side succumbed to a 61-run defeat. 

The loss also meant that Sri Lanka has officially been eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2026, marking the end of their run to the knockout stages. New Zealand, however, registered its first win of the Super 8 and now has four points to its name.

The clash saw New Zealand open their innings with Tim Seifert scoring 8 runs and Finn Allen scoring 23.



Rachin Ravindra added 32 runs on the board, with Mitchell Santner adding 47 runs late in the innings alongside Cole McConchie, who went unbeaten on a score of 31, as New Zealand posted a total of 168 runs in the first innings. 

As for Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera were the highest wicket takers with three wickets each to their name in the first innings. Dunith Wellalage took one wicket as well. 

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka