Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Pak's Semifinal Hopes Take Big Blow With NZ Win. Here's How

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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Highlights, T20 World Cup Super 8: Rachin Ravindra claimed 4 for 27 as New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 61 runs in their Group 2 Super Eight clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo on Wednesday. With the win, New Zealand took a big step towards the semifinals. Sri Lanka were knocked out, though they still have one match to play. Chasing 169, Sri Lanka made a terrible start to crawl to 20 for two in the powerplay and failed to gain any momentum. Ravindra then ran through the brittle Lankan middle order to help the Kiwis limit the co-hosts for a paltry 107/8. Earlier, skipper Mitchell Santner (47) and Cole McConchie (31 not out) led New Zealand's fightback after middle-order collapse as the Kiwis posted 168/7. New Zealand suffered a batting collapse as they slipped from 75/2 to 84/6 during which they also lost three wickets without adding a run. (Scorecard)

With the big win over Sri Lanka, the Blackcaps are the front-runner for the remaining semi-final spot from Group 2, thus impacting Pakistan's slim hopes.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Highlights, T20 World Cup Super 8 -

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It's a wrap!

That’s all from the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka live blog, folks. It’s been a pleasure bringing you every moment of the action, and we hope you enjoyed following the game with us.

We will be back tomorrow with a blockbuster double-header — West Indies take on South Africa in the first match, followed by India facing Zimbabwe in the second. Do join us for what promises to be an exciting day of cricket. Goodnight, and take care!

T20 World Cup Live: Pak's semi-final hopes take a blow!

New Zealand’s big win over Sri Lanka tonight has taken the Blackcaps’ net run rate to +3.050 with three points, making things really difficult for Pakistan, who have one point to their credit. Even a victory in their final game might not be enough for Salman Agha and Co. to make it to the semi-final now, as their NRR is -0.461. Have a look at the updated points table:

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: NZ win by 61 runs!

An easy victory this is for New Zealand! They win the contest by 61 runs. The Black Caps fought hard to post 168 batting first, and dominated their opponents after that. Sri Lanka are eliminated from the tournament.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: OUT!

Glenn Phillips gets a wicket! He has trapped Dunith Wellalage. It was bowled up, and the southpaw went for a sweep shot. He got a top edge that carried comfortably to the fielder in the deep.

Dunith Wellalage c Rachin Ravindra b Glenn Phillips 29(23)

SL 105-8 (19.4)

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: Final over coming!

Just four runs came off Mitchell Santner’s final over. He ends his quota of four overs with figures of 1 for 19. Sri Lanka need an improbable 65 to win off the final over. Effectively, New Zealand are six balls away from a big win.

SL 104-7 (19)

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: Ravindra returns 4/27!

Rachin Ravindra concedes eight off his final over. He ends his quota of four overs with figures of 4 for 27. That is superb bowling from the spinner. New Zealand are only 18 balls away from registering a big victory in this game.

SL 95-7 (17)

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: OUT!

Another Sri Lankan batter bites the dust! It was a back‑of‑a‑length ball from Mitchell Santner, and Kamindu Mendis rocked back and pulled it towards deep mid‑wicket, finding the fielder there. The chasing team is seven down.

Kamindu Mendis c Glenn Phillips b Mitchell Santner 31(23)

SL 77-7 (15)

SL vs NZ Live: New Zealand in control!

New Zealand are well in command of this game. Sri Lanka need 98 runs in 36 balls. The asking rate for them is more than 16. This match is a mere formality now.

SL 71-6 (14)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: OUT

OUT!!! Rachin Ravindra gets his fourth wicket of the day as he dismisses Dushman Hemantha for 3. Hemantha mistimes a shot which lands into the hands of Daryl Mitchell at the long-on. Sri Lanka on the verge of big defeat.

SL 59/6 (12.2 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Big over for SL

Sri Lanka finally get a big over as Kamindu Mendis scores 12 runs against Cole McConchie. This include two brilliant boundaries from Mendis as Sri Lanka need more in the upcoming overs.

SL 59/5 (12 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: OUT

OUT!!! Rachin Ravindra strikes again and this time, he dismisses Dasun Shanaka for 3. Shanaka gets played on by the tricky delivery as he mistimes a shot. The ball goes up in the air and Finn Allen completes a good catch at the backward point. Fifth wicket gone for Sri Lanka.

SL 46/5 (10.3 overs)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: FOUR

FOUR!!! Finally a sigh of relief for Sri Lanka as Kamindu Mendis hits a boundary on Ish Sodhi's delivery. An outside off delivery, Mendis plays a reverse-sweeps over backward point as the ball flies across the boundary line for a four.

SL 42/4 (9.3 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Rachin scalps 2 wickets

OUT!!! More trouble for Sri Lanka as Rachin Ravindra strikes twice in the same over. Interestingly, both the dismissals are from stumping by wicketkeeper Tim Seifert. First, Rachin removes Kusal Mendis after he fails to return back to the crease, following a missed shot. Two balls later, he traps Pavan Rathnayake in a similar manner. Fourth wicket gone for Sri Lanka.

SL 29/4 (8.2 overs)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: Sri Lanka under pressure

Sri Lanka batters are under a lot of pressure as they are visibly struggling for runs against New Zealand bowlers. In the previous over of Ish Sodhi, the duo of Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake scored four runs. Sri Lanka now need some boundaries to gain the momentum.

SL 27/2 (8 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: End of powerplay

The first six overs of Sri Lanka's chase are up and New Zealand are clearly dominating the game. Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake face the daunting task of forming a good partnership against the Kiwi bowlers.

SL 20/2 (6 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: 2 runs off the over

Sri Lanka are in deep trouble in the chase of 169. Currently, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake are trying to form a partnership and bringing two-down Sri Lanka out of the mess. In the previous over of Cole McConchie, the duo scored two runs.

SL 11/2 (4 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: OUT

OUT!!! Matt Henry strikes again and this time, Charith Asalanka becomes his prey and departs for five. In search of a big hit, Asalanka ends up mistiming a shot, which goes straight into the hands of Daryl Mitchell at the mid-wicket. Second wicket gone for Sri Lanka.

SL 6/2 (2.1 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Wicket-maiden

A brilliant start for New Zealand as Matt Henry delivers a wicket-maiden first over. He dismissed Pathum Nissanka on the first delivery and then kept Charith Asalanka in check. Asalanka and Kusal Mendis now need to get some boundaries in the upcoming overs.

SL 0/1 (1 over)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: OUT

OUT!!! What just happened here? Matt Henry delivered a terrific ball, providing New Zealand with the wicket of Pathum Nissanka for duck. The ball completely beat Nissanka and then rattled the stumps. A big trouble for Sri Lanka in the chase of 169.

SL 0/1 (0.1 over)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: We are back

Hello and welcome to Sri Lanka's chase of 169 against New Zealand. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have started the proceedings in the run chase. For New Zealand, Matt Henry will be bowling the first over for the Blackcaps.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: New Zealand 168/7 in 20 overs

New Zealand have ended their innings at 168/7 in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 match in Colombo. For New Zealand, skipper Mitchell Santner was the star batter with his powerful 26-ball-47-run knock. Apart from him, Cole McConchie also scored 31* off 23 balls. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera took three wickets each.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: 19 runs off the over

Mitchell Santner continues to fire and this time, Dilshan Madushanka faces the heat. Santner scores 19 runs, which includes a massive six and a boundary from Cole McConchie. With this, New Zealand have also crossed the 150-run mark with an over still left.

NZ 156/6 (19 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Santner on fire

New Zealand has truly changed the momentum of the game as Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie form a terrific partnership. In the previous over of Maheesh Theekshana, Santner hit a boundary and two sixes as the spinner leaked 21 runs. A big boost for New Zealand.

NZ 137/6 (18 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: 18 runs off the over

WOAH!! This can be the game-changing over for New Zealand as Cole McConchie unleashes his fury on Dushmantha Chameera. In the previous over, McConchie hammered two sixes and a boundary as Chameera leaked 18 runs. Just amazing!

NZ 116/6 (17 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: 1st boundary in 33 balls

Sri Lanka bowlers have successfully managed to keep New Zealand under pressure. In the previous over of Charith Asalanka, Cole McConchie hit a boundary. This was the first boundary in 33 balls. New Zealand more of such shots in order to get a good total.

NZ 97/6 (15.5 overs)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: New Zealand in trouble

With six wickets already gone, New Zealand are in deep trouble. They are on the verge of terrible collapse as Sri Lanka spinners are clearly dominating the contest. Currently, Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie are forming a partnership to guide NZ towards a good total.

NZ 90/6 (15 overs)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: Another wicket

OUT!!! What's happening here? New Zealand are totally succumbing against Sri Lanka's spin attack. Dunith Wellalage now traps Daryl Mitchell with his ultimate spin and give Sri Lanka their sixth wicket. Sliding in from a fuller length around off, Mitchell wanted to play it forward and left ample bat-pad gap in the process. It doesn't turn, just skids through and hits the timber.

NZ 84/6 (12.1 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: OUT

OUT!!! Maheesh Theekshana, you beauty. The star spinner strikes again in the same over and this time, Mark Chapman becomes the victim and departs for duck. A beautiful spin and the bails goes off in style. Fifth wicket gone for NZ.

NZ 84/5 (11.4 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: OUT

OUT!!! Maheesh Theekshana provides Sri Lanka with another wicket as he dismisses Rachin Ravindra for 32. In search of a big shot, Ravindra hammers it hard. However, the shot goes straight into the hands of Dushan Hemantha at the long-off. Rachin is visibly angry with his choice of shot. Fourth wicket gone.

NZ 84/4 (11.2 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: OUT

OUT!!! Dushmantha Chameera gets his second wicket of the day and this time, he dismisses Glenn Phillips for 18. After getting dropped by Dasun Shanaka on the previous ball, Phillips gets cleaned up by Chameera on the next ball. This is a good sign for Pakistan as New Zealand's loss will benefit them in the points table.

NZ 75/3 (9.3 overs)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: 98m six

Rachin Ravindra stuns the Colombo crowd with his powerful hitting. This time, Dushan Hemantha comes at the receiving end and gets hit for 98m maximum. Terrific batting from Ravindra as two-down New Zealand are slowly getting back on track.

NZ 65/2 (8.1 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: FOUR

FOUR!! Rachin Ravindra hits a brilliant boundary on Dushan Hemantha's delivery. A full delivery, Rachin slams the drive straight back past the non-striker. The ball then races across the boundary line for four.

NZ 52/2 (7 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: End of powerplay

The first six overs of New Zealand innings are done as Sri Lanka are very much ahead in the contest. So far, the Kiwis have lost two wickets in the form of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert. Now, the onus is on the shoulders of Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips.

NZ 44/2 (6 overs)

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: OUT

OUT!!! New Zealand are in trouble as Dushmantha Chameera dismisses Tim Seifert for 8. Seifert hammers it hard in search of boundary but Kamindu Mendis intervenes at the deep square leg and takes a terrific catch. Second wicket gone for New Zealand.

NZ 34/2 (4.2 overs)

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: OUT

OUT!!! Maheesh Theekshana redeems himself after the blunder in the previous over as he dismisses Finn Allen for 23. Theekshana delivers a carrom ball as Allen goes back into the crease and plays a shot in search of some runs. However, the ball returns back to Theekshana, who then completes a good catch. First wicket gone for New Zealand.

NZ 30/1 (3.1 overs)

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live: Big blunder from Theekshana

Oh no! This is going to hurt Sri Lanka a lot. Dilshan Madushanka almost trapped Tim Seifert with his ultimate pace. The ball hit the edge and travelled to short third, where Maheesh Theekshana made a good effort but failed to complete the catch. Madushanka is visibly with the mistake. A big lifeline for New Zealand.

NZ 25/0 (2.3 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: 15 runs off the over

New Zealand are off to a terrific start as their openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are fearlessly dealing in boundaries. In the previous over of Dunith Wellalage, the duo scored 15 runs, which included two boundaries from Allen and one from Seifert.

NZ 23/0 (2 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: SIX

SIX!!! Finn Allen makes his intentions clear right from the beginning as he hits a massive six on Dilshan Madushanka's delivery. Allen, who has been signed by KKR in the IPL, clears the front leg and hoicks it off the strong bottom hand over mid-wicket for a 71-metre maximum. A good start for New Zealand.

NZ 8/0 (1 overs)

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: We are underway

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand's Super 8 match finally begins. For New Zealand, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have started the proceedings. On the other hand, Dilshan Madushanka will be bowling the first over for Sri Lanka.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Time for national anthems

Players of both the teams are out on the field for their respective national anthems. The T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 match shall begin shortly.

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: Pitch report

"We are out here in the middle and the conditions are perfect - there’s a lovely breeze and the temperature has dropped nicely. The key factor tonight, though, is the boundary dimensions: 62 metres to the leg side for a right-hander, 75 metres to the off side, and 75 straight down the ground. It certainly looks like a traditional R. Premadasa surface - dry, with a bit of grass covering and a few bare patches - which suggests there could be some variable pace and bounce. That won’t necessarily trouble the batters if they apply themselves, but it is on the slower side. When you bowl slower here, there’s more turn on offer, so controlling pace and varying it becomes crucial," reckon Aaron Finch and Russel Arnold.

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: New Zealand's Playing XI

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.

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: Sri Lanka's Playing XI

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

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Here's what Santner said at the toss

"Nice to be here. It’s been a few days without a proper game - obviously we were up against the rain the other night and there’s not much you can do about that - but we’ve had some good training sessions and we’re ready for this big match. The challenge will be taking on the Sri Lankan spinners. We’ve been playing in India, so the conditions aren’t unfamiliar, and it’s been pleasing to see different guys step up at different times. That’s all you can really ask for. The two at the top have done an outstanding job, and hopefully they can set the tone again. The surface looks good, so the aim is to put up a strong score. We’ve made one change - Cole McConhie comes in for Jimmy Neesham - which gives us a bit more spin in the middle order," said Mitchell Santner.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Here's what Shanaka said at the toss

"We’re going to bowl first. The main lesson for our batters from the game against England is to take the innings deep and show more responsibility through the middle overs. I thought our bowlers did a pretty decent job in the last match, and we expect them to deliver a similar performance tonight. There might be some assistance for the spinners, but you never really know what the surface will offer, so we felt bowling first was the right call. We’ve made one change - Kamal Mishara misses out and Charith Asalanka comes into the side, which adjusts our top order slightly," said Dasun Shanaka.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Head-to-head in WC

Sri Lanka have a much better record against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup history. The two sides have played six World Cup games against each other. In which Sri Lanka have won three matches, while New Zealand have been able to get a win in only two. New Zealand and Sri Lanka last met each other in a T20I series in December 2024 when hosts New Zealand beat the visitors with a margin of 2-1 in a three-match series.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: New Zealand's edge over SL

This will be only the 29th time New Zealand and Sri Lanka will meet each other in T20Is. Blackcaps have the upper hand in the 28 matches played between the two sides so far. New Zealand have come out victorious on 16 occasions, while Sri Lanka have been able to win only 11 games. One match between the two sides ended in no result.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Rain on the cards

As per AccuWeather, the likelihood of rain is low but not out of the picture. While it is expected to stay clear in the build-up to the match, there is a 14% chance of rain between 7 PM and 9 PM local time. However, the chances of rain is expected to significantly increase as the night wears on. The likelihood of rain jumps to 49% after 10 PM and 58% after 11 PM.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Weather in focus

Rain has unfortunately played spoilsport in determining the fate of teams during the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. Wednesday's match between co-hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo is a massive one for both teams in their bid to reach the semi-finals. The focus today will be entirely on the weather of Colombo.

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: New Zealand's strong batters

New Zealand, who had to share a point with Pakistan following the wash-out at Premadasa, too have good spinners in their ranks including captain Mitchell Santner. New Zealand's opening duo of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert showed ominous form during the league stage and would be looking to extend that run.

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: Sri Lanka's strengths

While batting has been led by Pathum Nissanka, left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage has been impressive with the ball. To be fair, even the pacers have delivered thus far in the competition.

SL vs NZ, T20 World Cup Live: Must-win game for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will need to improve their batting against slower bowlers when they take on New Zealand in a must-win Super Eight game. The home team batters failed to chase a below par 147 against England on a slow turner in Pallekele.

T20 World Cup 2026 Live: Hello

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, straight from the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Stay tuned for all the live updates.

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