NZ vs SL, T20 World Cup Super 8 Highlights: SL (107/8 in 20 ovs), New Zealand knock Sri Lanka out of World Cup

What's on the menu for Thursday? A double header in Group 1 awaits us on 26th February, and both games carry major implications in the race for the semi-finals. First up, in Ahmedabad at 9.30 am GMT, South Africa and West Indies square off in what could be a decisive clash. The winner will take a giant stride towards sealing a spot in the knockouts. Later in the day, at 1.30 pm GMT in Chennai, two teams who will have one eye on that earlier game take the field as India and Zimbabwe lock horns. As always, you can join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!

Qualification scenario in Group 2 - England, with their win over Pakistan on Tuesday, are already through to the semi-finals. With Sri Lanka now out of the race, it is down to New Zealand and Pakistan for the remaining spot in the group. New Zealand's next assignment is against England on 27th February. A win for the Kiwis will seal their place in the final four. Pakistan play a day later, on 28th February, against Sri Lanka. By then, they will have complete clarity on whether they are in the race. If New Zealand slip up against England, Pakistan will remain in the hunt and would need a win big enough to overtake the Kiwis on net run rate. At the moment, Pakistan's NRR is -0.461, while New Zealand enjoy a massive cushion at +3.050.

Wicket spun more than they thought - The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner admits that Sri Lanka bowled exceptionally well through the middle phase, picking up three quick wickets and tightening the squeeze. He adds that the plan, alongside Cole McConchie, was to push the total towards 140, and feels that getting past 160 in the end was a strong recovery. Details that it was a kind of pitch where if you get in, you need to give yourself some time, and then cash in on the opportunities. Says it looked like a good wicket, but it spun more than they expected. He praises McConchie’s effort, mentioning that both of them had a cautious start but benefited from taking the innings deep. He also observes that the pitch offered more turn than expected for both sides, which allowed spinners to control their lengths, especially with the bigger boundaries in play. On the bowling front, Santner says the conditions made it clear that spin would play a major role, something reinforced by watching earlier matches. He adds that while spin dominated, seamers were still effective in patches, making it a balanced effort overall.

Can't rely on one or two individuals with the bat - Sri Lanka's skipper, Dasun Shanaka says that it is really embarrassing to disappoint the fans. Adds that the partnership between Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie took the game away from them. He states that he didn't expect the pitch to turn the way it did, as it was a new track. Dasun shares that they wanted to restrict their opposition to under 130, but the opposition batters simply outplayed them. He also gives credit to the Kiwi bowlers who bowled the correct lengths. Mentions that he is now looking forward to facing Pakistan, and he hopes that his batting unit takes a bit more responsibility.

Time to hear from the captains...

Sri Lanka let it slip from 84/6 - After being asked to bat first, New Zealand raced away to 30 in the first three overs before the home side stormed back into the game through their spinners. With New Zealand reduced to 84/6, Sri Lanka looked firmly in control, but just as it happened when they faced Ireland in the group stage, where Ireland had things under control before losing their way at the death, the script flipped. This time, the island nation was on the receiving end as New Zealand found a way to recover strongly through Cole McConchie and Mitchell Santner. The wheels came off for the Lankans at the back end as they conceded 70 runs in the final 4 overs.

Sri Lanka beaten at their game - 17 overs of spin from New Zealand proved too much for the home side to handle. After Matt Henry struck early in the Powerplay to do the initial damage, the spinners took over and tightened their grip on the contest. Just 20 runs came off the Powerplay, and Kusal Mendis, struggling with his leg, did not help the Sri Lankan cause. Like in the England game, the hosts left much to be desired with their shot selection, and Ravindra in particular spun a web around the batters.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - No surprises as Rachin Ravindra wins the award for his all-round heroics. 32 off 22 with the bat, followed by a superb bowling effort of 4/27. Rachin receives the award from Simon Doull. Says it is pleasing to get the win and play a good game of cricket. Credits Sri Lanka as well, calling them a strong side at home. Adds that it was awesome to see contributions coming from across the board. On being asked about what worked with the ball, he details that understanding that bowling slower was better. He also highlights that a few stats were put out there to bowl under 85 kph to get success on this pitch. Says Santner is a master at that craft, so they decided that the slower they bowl, the better. Also detail that Maheesh also bowled to them with those slow offies, which helped them understand better. On contributing in all facets of the game, Rachin says it is just about contributing to the team. Adds if you can bat in the top three and bowl some overs, it will help the team massively. So he feels good to contribute with both bat and ball. On playing in front of the Sri Lankan crowd, he says the atmosphere was incredible. Shares that walking out and hearing the national anthems, he adds, serves as a reminder of why they play the game. He also notes that the fans were chanting 'New Zealand, New Zealand' at times, and credits the supporters for turning up in huge numbers as well.

A comprehensive win for New Zealand - Who would have thought the night would unfold like this when the Kiwis were under the pump with the bat? They not only turned the game around but, with this 61-run win, they have boosted their net run rate significantly, which could prove crucial in the qualification race. For Sri Lanka, it is a major disappointment. They have been found wanting with the bat in both matches. With this result, they can no longer qualify for the semis.

19.6: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 61 RUNS! It's all over for Sri Lanka! In front of the middle pole, full in length, Dushmantha Chameera advances down the track and mistimes the heave to the right of mid-wicket for a single. 

19.5: Glenn Phillips to Maheesh Theekshana, Too full, around off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana walks in next.

19.4: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, OUT! TOP EDGE AND CAUGHT! Phillips loves every bit of that, and why not? Full and fired in on leg, Wellalage goes hard on the slog sweep behind square on the leg side, playing it aerially. He gets a top edge that flies high to the left of Ravindra at deep square leg. Rachin tracks it well, charges across, and completes the catch.

19.3: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Top drawer effort in the deep from Chapman! Full on off, he nails the slog sweep between deep square and deep mid-wicket. It races away, but Chapman charges across to his left and dives full stretch to pull it back just in time. Ravindra is quick on the relay and gets rid of the ball, throwing it to the keeper. The batters don’t run. There’s a check to see if any part of Chapman’s leg made contact with the ropes while holding the ball in hand, but the replay confirms it’s a clean save.

19.2: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Much fuller, on off, Chameera shimmies down to flick but gets an inside edge towards the backward square leg region for a single.

19.1: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Pushed full and on off, Chameera tries the paddle sweep, but gets beaten.

Time for the final over of the game. Glenn Phillips to bowl.

18.6: Mitchell Santner to Dushmantha Chameera, Slows it up again, and Chameera pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.5: Mitchell Santner to Dushmantha Chameera, JAFFA! Cunningly flighted on a fuller length, in front of off. It lands, grips away to beat Chameera's attempted sweep shot. The ball bounces over the off pole and the keeper gathers it.

18.4: Mitchell Santner to Dunith Wellalage, Drag-downer, at 76.1 kph, outside off, Dunith Wellalage is quick to rock back and cuts it to deep point for another run.

18.3: Mitchell Santner to Dushmantha Chameera, More flight on a short length, on middle. Dushmantha Chameera hangs deep in the crease and dinks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

18.2: Mitchell Santner to Dunith Wellalage, On a length, on middle and leg, Dunith Wellalage advances down a bit and eases it down to long on for a single.

18.1: Mitchell Santner to Dunith Wellalage, Goes for the sweep shot on this full ball, but misses as it grips and turns in to beat the bat and rap him on the front pad.

17.6: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, In-between length, outside off, crunched to deep cover-point for a single. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

17.5: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, A slight appeal for LBW, but not given. Pitched fuller and around off, spinning in sharply with a bit of bounce. Dushmantha Chameera tries to sweep, but gets it off the gloves and the ball lobs on the bounce towards Finn Allen at short fine leg. A single taken.

17.4: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Fuller than the previous ball, on off, Dunith Wellalage drags his hands in front after getting down on a knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for one more.

17.3: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Closer to the stumps, on a shorter length, Dunith Wellalage stays leg side and dabs it to short third.

17.2: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Very sharp spin down the leg side, on a fractionally fuller length. Dushmantha Chameera misses the flick and the ball deflects off the keeper's gloves and rolls to short fine leg for a bye.

17.1: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Overpitched on middle, Dunith Wellalage carves it to deep point for a single.

16.6: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Short in length, around off, Dunith covers the line and heaves it to deep square leg for a single. A fantastic spell from Rachin Ravindra as he ends with figures of 4-0-27-4.

16.5: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Full, across off, Dunith dabs it down on the off side.

16.4: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Shortish delivery, on middle, Dunith Wellalage goes deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep square leg's right for two runs.

16.3: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, FOUR! A good effort from Henry, all in vain. Short and wide outside off, Wellalage stays deep in the crease and rolls his wrists on the pull, sending it behind square on the leg side and beats the dive of Henry to his left for a boundary.

16.2: Rachin Ravindra to Dushmantha Chameera, A bit too full, on leg, Dushmantha Chameera whips it to the right of long on for a single.

16.1: Rachin Ravindra to Dushmantha Chameera, Drifts in and then spins away from middle. Dushmantha Chameera is nowhere close to the pitch of the ball to defend and the ball spins past his outside edge to beat him all ends up.

15.6: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, On a good length, off break outside the off stump. Dunith shapes to cut off the backfoot and is beaten on the outside edge.

15.5: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Sharp spin on a fuller length, outside off, Dushmantha Chameera presses ahead to block, but gets an inside edge to the square leg region for a single.

15.4: Glenn Phillips to Dushmantha Chameera, Goes straighter this time, full and outside off, Dushmantha Chameera steps across off, gets down to his knee and tries to sweep, but misses to connect.

15.3: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, The off break, on a length, outside off, Dunith slashes it like a knife to deep backward point for a single.

15.2: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Pushed through, full and around off, Dunith leans forward with a big stride and eases it through the vacant point region for a brace.

15.1: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, SIX! Into the stands! GP drops it a bit too full and on off, Dunith Wellalage sits down on a knee and slog sweeps it behind deep backward square leg for a six.

Dushmantha Chameera comes out to the middle. Glenn Phillips to roll his arm over now.

14.6: Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, OUT! CAUGHT! Kamindu Mendis could not have picked out the fielder in the deep any better and he has picked the best fielder in the New Zealand side. A half-tracker, on middle and leg. Mendis goes deep in the crease, swivels and pulls it hard. He hits it well but does not get any elevation. Hits it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket, where Glenn Phillips takes the reverse cup catch near his chest.

14.5: Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, On a length, on the stumps, drilled down to the right of Ferguson at long on this time. Two more taken.

14.4: Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Flat and short, on middle and leg. Kamindu stands tall and smashes it over the leaping mid-wicket fielder for a couple more.

14.3: Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Short ball, spinning back in from middle. Kamindu Mendis pulls it between long on and deep mid-wicket and by the time Lockie Ferguson cuts it off to his left from long on, they hurry back for two.

14.2: Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Slows it down now, on a good length, Kamindu reverse sweeps it hard but can't beat backward point.

14.1: Mitchell Santner to Kamindu Mendis, Pushed down leg, on a length. Mendis walks over to the off side for the reverse but misses. Wide not given as the umpire feels that had Kamindu been in his standing position, the ball would have hit him on the pads.

DRINKS BREAK! Sri Lanka are staring down the barrel at 71/6. This is the last recognised batting pair out in the middle, and the required run rate has gone over 16. Given the slowness of the wicket and the turn the spinners have extracted, New Zealand will back themselves to close out the game from here with still plenty overs of spin at their disposal. Mitchell Santner brings himself on after the break. 2-0-9-0 so far for the Kiwi skipper.

13.6: Glenn Phillips to Kamindu Mendis, Length ball, on middle, Kamindu Mendis hangs back and knocks it down to long on for a single.

13.5: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, On a length around off and turning away, he shapes for the reverse sweep and only manages a faint tickle down to short third. They settle for a single.

13.4: Glenn Phillips to Kamindu Mendis, A touch short, on off, Kamindu arches back and punches it to deep cover for a single.

13.3: Glenn Phillips to Kamindu Mendis, Turns away from a fuller length, outside off, Kamindu leans on and opens the bat face to run it behind, finding short third.

13.2: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Drags the length back, on off, Dunith Wellalage slashes it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

13.1: Glenn Phillips to Dunith Wellalage, Tossed up nicely, full and around off, spinning away. Dunith pushes it to backward point.

12.6: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Short, outside off, Dunith Wellalage punches it to long on for a single.

12.6: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, WIDE! Short, down the leg side, Dunith Wellalage misses his flick.

12.5: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, FOUR! Sri Lanka need more of these! Much fuller, wide outside off. Dunith Wellalage plants his front foot towards the delivery and goes hard on the drive. The ball goes off the outer half and through the backward point region for four runs.

12.4: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, Fuller, turning in, on leg, Kamindu Mendis clips it to square leg. Single taken.

12.3: Rachin Ravindra to Dunith Wellalage, Short, outside off, Dunith Wellalage takes a step across the stumps and nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Glum faces in the Sri Lankan dugout as Sanath Jayasuriya and Lasith Malinga watch on. Dunith Wellalage makes his way out to bat.

12.2: Rachin Ravindra to Dushan Hemantha, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Wicket number 4 for Rachin Ravindra. He is having some fun out there in the middle with the ball. Tossed up outside off and turning away, Hemantha drops to one knee and goes for the big heave across the line. He doesn’t get hold of it, mistiming it off the top edge. It sails high but not far enough, towards widish long on. Daryl Mitchell sprints in from long on to his right, slides on his knees, and snaffles it inches above the turf. Sri Lanka go further down and are reduced to 59/6, needing 110 more.

12.1: Rachin Ravindra to Dushan Hemantha, Fuller, wide outside off, turning away. Dushan Hemantha looks to reverse sweep like his partner but fails to get the connection.

11.6: Cole McConchie to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! Off the edge. Quicker and shorter, outside off, Kamindu Mendis is a bit late on the cut shot, gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes past the keeper and through the right of short third for a boundary.

11.6: Cole McConchie to Kamindu Mendis, WIDE! Short, wide outside off, Kamindu Mendis leaves it alone.

11.5: Cole McConchie to Kamindu Mendis, Short, outside off, Kamindu Mendis misses his cut shot.

11.4: Cole McConchie to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! That's a shot that he plays really well! Tossed up, fuller, around off. Kamindu Mendis once again reverse sweeps it up and over backward point for the boundary.

11.3: Cole McConchie to Dushan Hemantha, Short, around off, Dushan Hemantha lofts it over the bowler. Single taken. Finally, 50 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

11.2: Cole McConchie to Kamindu Mendis, Short, outside off, Kamindu Mendis cuts it to deep point for a single.

11.1: Cole McConchie to Dushan Hemantha, Full, around off, Dushan Hemantha punches it aerially to long on and gets a single.

10.6: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, Short, outside off, Kamindu Mendis pushes it back to the bowler.

10.5: Rachin Ravindra to Dushan Hemantha, Short, on middle, Dushan Hemantha pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.4: Rachin Ravindra to Dushan Hemantha, That's some turn off the track! A touch shorter, pitching it just outside off and turning it away from the batter. Dushan leans forward to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

The Sri Lankan skipper goes now and the game is slipping away at a rapid pace from them. Dushan Hemantha is in at number 7.

10.3: Rachin Ravindra to Dasun Shanaka, OUT! CAUGHT! 3 wickets in 9 balls for Rachin Ravindra. Not the best of balls by Rachin, though. This is short and wide on off, Shanaka hops and gives himself room to thrash it away on the off side. He gets on his toes but fails to get on top of the bounce, and his body weight is falling back. The ball spins away and it lobs off a top edge to backward point, where Finn Allen gobbles it up. Sri Lanka have lost half their side for 46.

10.2: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, Short, around middle and leg, Kamil Mishara nudges it to short fine leg and gets across for one run.

10.1: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, Short, pitching it wide outside off and turns in sharply, on middle. Kamil Mishara looks to pull it but misses the connection on the inside edge and takes a blow on his hips.

9.6: Ish Sodhi to Kamindu Mendis, Short, on middle. Kamindu Mendis sweeps it to deep mid-wicket and gets a comfortable single.

9.5: Ish Sodhi to Dasun Shanaka, Full, around leg, Dasun Shanaka eases it to long on for a single.

9.4: Ish Sodhi to Kamindu Mendis, Not far away from going to hand! Shorter and googly, on off. Mendis reaches out for the cut. Slices it off the outer half to backward point, where Lockie Ferguson runs in but the ball drops short. There is a shy at the bowling end but misses. The batters run on the overthrow as the ball goes to long on. Daryl Mitchell eventually mops it up.

9.3: Ish Sodhi to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! Predetermined and effective! Fuller, around off. Kamindu Mendis reverse sweeps it over and between the short third and backward point region for four runs. They need plenty of those.

9.2: Ish Sodhi to Dasun Shanaka, Flighted low full toss, on off. Dasun Shanaka lofts it to long on and gets a single.

9.1: Ish Sodhi to Kamindu Mendis, Short, wide outside off, Kamindu heaves it from the inner half of his bat, across the line, to long on. Single taken.

8.6: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, Full, on off, Kamindu Mendis tucks it to square leg for a single.

8.6: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, WIDE! Short, down the leg side, Kamindu Mendis misses his sweep shot.

8.5: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! Not a clean shot, but Mendis will take those runs! Tossed up, fuller, just outside off, turning in. Kamindu Mendis gets down on one knee and looks to sweep it, but gets the top edge. The ball flies well over the short fine leg fielder. The deep square leg fielder sprints hard to his left to save the boundary but fails to get there in time.

8.4: Rachin Ravindra to Dasun Shanaka, Full, around off, Dasun Shanaka drives it to long off for a single.

8.3: Rachin Ravindra to Dasun Shanaka, Short again, pitching it outside off and turns it away. Dasun Shanaka looks to defend but the ball spins and goes past the outside edge with a large gap.

8.2: Rachin Ravindra to Pavan Rathnayake, OUT! STUMPED! Another one bites the dust. Two wickets in the over for Rachin Ravindra. Flighted again, fuller and outside off. Pavan Rathnayake gives a charge to the bowler. He pushes away from his body but fails to get to the pitch of the ball. The ball lands and turns prodigiously past the bat. Tim Seifert gathers the ball to his right and does the rest with Pavan well out of his crease. Sri Lanka slip further into trouble. They are now 29/4, chasing 169. Dasun Shanaka is the new batter.

The Sri Lankan fans are shellshocked at the R. Premadasa with the way things have gone about for the home side. They just cannot afford to lose more wickets from this position.

8.2: Rachin Ravindra to Kamindu Mendis, TWO WIDES! Rachin Ravindra misses his line and length. Short, on middle, turning it wide down the leg side. Kamindu Mendis makes a leave, and the keeper fails to collect it cleanly. The ball rolls to short fine leg and the batters cross.

The slide continues for Sri Lanka. Kamindu Mendis is the next batter in.

8.1: Rachin Ravindra to Kusal Mendis, OUT! STUMPED! Immediate impact from Rachin Ravindra. This could well be a blessing in disguise for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis was anyway struggling, and his departure will at least help in improving the running between the wickets. Floated up, outside off, on a length. Mendis comes down the track early and then, after seeing the line and length, he has to adjust. He tries to extend his hands and reach for it but the ball spins past the outside edge. Tim Seifert is quick to whip the bails off. The third umpire is summoned for a check. The replays show that Mendis tried to plonk his back leg inside the crease, but he could not do so in time.

After 8 overs, Sri Lanka are 27/2. At the same stage, New Zealand were 59/2. Rachin Ravindra is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Mitchell Santner.

7.6: Ish Sodhi to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length again from Sodhi, outside off, Kusal Mendis slaps it to deep cover for a single.

7.5: Ish Sodhi to Kusal Mendis, Googly and quicker, on middle. Kusal Mendis rocks back and dabs it to cover.

7.4: Ish Sodhi to Pavan Rathnayake, Short, around the hips of the batter. Pavan Rathnayake tucks it through mid-wicket and gets a single.

7.3: Ish Sodhi to Kusal Mendis, Short and just outside off, Kusal Mendis slaps it through point for a single.

7.2: Ish Sodhi to Kusal Mendis, Short, on off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to cover.

7.1: Ish Sodhi to Pavan Rathnayake, Ish Sodhi joins the attack and jogs from over the wicket. Starts off with a googly, angling down the leg side. Pavan Rathnayake rocks back and nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

6.6: Mitchell Santner to Pavan Rathnayake, A touch fuller, outside off, Pavan Rathnayake lunges and gently pushes it through cover for an easy single.

6.5: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Short, outside off, Kusal Mendis punches it to deep cover for a single.

6.4: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Short and on off, this is punched off the back foot by Mendis, but he can't get it past cover.

6.3: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Full, on middle, Kusal Mendis pushes it to the left of the bowler.

6.2: Mitchell Santner to Pavan Rathnayake, Short and outside off, Pavan Rathnayake stands tall to steer it away. The short third fielder moves to his right but fails to field it as the ball goes through his legs. Single taken.

6.1: Mitchell Santner to Pavan Rathnayake, Tossed up, fuller, outside off. Pavan Rathnayake crouches a bit low and punches it to short cover.

DRINKS BREAK! Mark Howard on air mentions that with 20/2 on the board, this is Sri Lanka's lowest Powerplay score in the T20 World Cups. Pretty much sums up their condition right now. They need a steady partnership, but with Kusal Mendis struggling to run between the wickets with a leg issue, it only makes matters worse for Sri Lanka. New Zealand have used their cards smartly by introducing spin inside the restrictions as the ball has gripped and turned. They would look to further choke on the scoring and keep picking up wickets at regular intervals in this middle phase. Mitchell Santner (1-0-6-0) to continue after the break.

5.6: Lockie Ferguson to Pavan Rathnayake, Rathnayake expects a short ball and goes right back in the crease. Ferguson responds by slipping in the yorker, on middle. Pavan jams it out in front of cover and takes a single. Just 3 runs off Ferguson's first over. Sri Lanka are going nowhere in the chase.

5.5: Lockie Ferguson to Kusal Mendis, A bit of curve back into the right-hander on this slower ball. On a length, on middle. Kusal clips it wide of mid-wicket for a run.

5.4: Lockie Ferguson to Kusal Mendis, Cuts back in sharply and the ball kicks up on the batter. On a good length, on the off pole. Kusal is taken aback and fends it down awkwardly.

5.3: Lockie Ferguson to Pavan Rathnayake, Leg bye! Pace taken off, on a good length, on the pads. Rathnayake looks to help it away but misses. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg.

5.2: Lockie Ferguson to Pavan Rathnayake, Ferguson hits the hard length, on middle. Pavan rides the bounce and pats it to mid on.

5.1: Lockie Ferguson to Pavan Rathnayake, Ferguson steams in from over the wicket and hits the top of off. Rathnayake stays leg side and angles it to backward point.

Lockie Ferguson is brought into the attack now, replacing Cole McConchie.

4.6: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Darts this one in, on a good length, on the off stump. Mendis stabs it down on the off side watchfully.

4.5: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Uppish but safe! This is slowed down by Santner, fuller and outside off, Mendis pushes out in front of his body as he looks to force it away on the off side. The ball lobs off the outer half to point, where it lands well in front of the fielder.

4.4: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Gets it away! Skidding through, shorter and on the leg stump. Kusal goes deep in the crease and walks inside the line. Uses the pace and the angle to help it behind square leg for a four.

4.3: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Drops it short, on off, Kusal hops back and cuts but picks out backward point.

4.2: Mitchell Santner to Pavan Rathnayake, Angled into the off stump, Pavan steps out and drives this full ball to wide long off for another single.

4.1: Mitchell Santner to Kusal Mendis, Flighted delivery from around the wicket, full and on middle. Kusal works it to long off for a run.

3.6: Cole McConchie to Pavan Rathnayake, Shorter and on middle, Rathnayake paddles it to short fine leg.

3.5: Cole McConchie to Kusal Mendis, On a nagging length, around leg, Kusal works it square on the leg side for a single.

3.4: Cole McConchie to Kusal Mendis, Full and quick at the sticks, Mendis eases it back to the bowler.

3.3: Cole McConchie to Kusal Mendis, Shorter and around leg, Kusal works it off the hips to square leg for another single.

3.2: Cole McConchie to Pavan Rathnayake, Drifting away from the right-hander, full in length, Pavan taps it in front of mid off and gets across for a single.

3.1: Cole McConchie to Pavan Rathnayake, Attacking the front pad, on a length, Rathnayake tucks it to mid-wicket.

2.6: Matt Henry to Kusal Mendis, Pushes the length up, does Henry, on off. Kusal firms the drive along the ground to mid off. End of another successful over from Henry.

2.5: Matt Henry to Pavan Rathnayake, On a hard length, over off, Rathnayake hops and glides it to deep third for a single.

2.4: Matt Henry to Pavan Rathnayake, Nipping back in, on a back of a length, on middle and leg. Pavan Rathnayake hops to keep it out off the back foot. Gets an inside edge that goes to the left of short fine leg for a couple of runs.

2.3: Matt Henry to Pavan Rathnayake, Ouch, that has hurt! Tucking the batter up for room, on a short of a length, Pavan swivels for the pull buti is rushed and the ball catches him in the midriff.

2.2: Matt Henry to Pavan Rathnayake, A play and a miss! In the channel, on a good length, Pavan leans across for the drive but is beaten on the outside edge.

Couldn't have been a worse possible start for the Islanders, but that was a nothing shot from Asalanka, truly. Pavan Rathnayake makes his way to the crease at number 4.

2.1: Matt Henry to Charith Asalanka, OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal. The slower ball does the trick for Matt Henry. This is the off-cutter, at only 121.2 kph, bowled into the surface, on off. Charith Asalanka jumps out of the crease premeditatively. He is nowhere near the pitch of the ball, and it is going away from him. He still has a swing at it and loses his shape. Spoons it tamely to mid-wicket, where Daryl Mitchell takes a sitter. Sri Lanka are 6/2, chasing 169.

1.6: Cole McConchie to Kusal Mendis, Full and around off, Kusal knocks it to mid off.

1.5: Cole McConchie to Charith Asalanka, Not in control but safe! Floated up, full and wide on off. Asalanka reaches out and tries to drag it down the ground. Skies it off the toe end of the blade but clears the back tracking Mark Chapman at mid on. The second run was on but Mendis was slow to complete the first run.

1.4: Cole McConchie to Charith Asalanka, Beaten! This is slower and wider on off, the length stays full. Charith is made to reach out and he pushes away from his body. The ball drops on him and rips past the outside edge.

1.3: Cole McConchie to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Good shot! Cole McConchie gives it a bit of air, fuller and on off. Asalanka gets low and brings out the broom. He takes the risk of going against the turn, but he executes the shot well, playing it over square leg for a four.

1.2: Cole McConchie to Kusal Mendis, Skidding through, on a nagging length, on middle. Kusal turns it to the right of the man at mid-wicket and takes a quick single. Mendis and Sri Lanka are underway.

1.1: Cole McConchie to Kusal Mendis, Flat and short from around the wicket, on middle. Kusal jabs it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Spin or pace from the other end? Spin it will be. Here's Cole McConchie into the attack.

0.6: Matt Henry to Charith Asalanka, Henry begins with a wicket-maiden! A bit of shape back into the left-hander, on a length, on middle and leg. Asalanka nudges it to mid-wicket. Simon Duoll mentions on air that this is the first maiden bowled by New Zealand at this World Cup. It could not have come at a better time for the Kiwis.

0.5: Matt Henry to Charith Asalanka, An ungainly swipe and Asalanka misses. Fuller in length, across off. Charith has a hoick across the line but the ball goes under the blade.

0.4: Matt Henry to Charith Asalanka, Henry hits the bat hard, on a back of a length. Asalanka waits on the back foot and fends it down.

0.3: Matt Henry to Charith Asalanka, The length is pulled back now, on middle. Charith Asalanka hangs back and stabs it down on the strip.

0.2: Matt Henry to Charith Asalanka, Too full, on off, Charith toe-ends the drive to cover.

Early blow for Sri Lanka. Charith Asalanka walks in at number 3.

0.1: Matt Henry to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! TIMBER! A jaffa from Matt Henry. A deathly silence at the Premadasa as Pathum Nissanka falls for a golden duck. The nip-backer from a good length, on middle. Nissanka stays rooted to the crease to deal with it and pushes at the ball with hard hands. The ball jags back in sharply to beat the opener on the inside edge and crashes into the top of the middle stump.

Welcome back for Sri Lanka's response with the bat. The players of New Zealand spread out from the huddle and take their respective positions on the field. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are the two Sri Lankan openers. Matt Henry has the new ball and is raring to go. Here we go again!

...  THE RUN CHASE ...

A momentum-changing finish - New Zealand looked buried until the 16th over, but then came the late surge that turned everything on its head completely. A match-defining 84-run stand off just 47 balls for the seventh wicket between Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie rescued New Zealand from deep trouble. As noted by the on air commentators, it was also New Zealand's highest seventh-wicket partnership in T20Is. All the last four overs went into double digits and New Zealand, out of nowhere, even breached the 160-run mark. Sri Lanka have a massive task ahead of them. They were bowled out for under 100 in their first Super Eight match against England while chasing a middling total. And now, they face a far stiffer test against a side that has clawed its way back into the game. It's all shaping up to be a spicy chase ahead. Stay tuned.

Spin chokehold in the middle overs - Rachin and Phillips tried to steady things with a 41-run stand, but the innings never found lift off. Chameera struck soon after Rachin’s drop, and the slide began. From 75/2, New Zealand tumbled to 84/6, losing wickets in clusters as the adjustment never quite came. Theekshana controlled the tempo through the middle, Wellalage backed him up, and the surface kept dictating terms while the Kiwi middle order was dismantled piece by piece.

A Powerplay of two halves - New Zealand flew out of the blocks despite early movement, with Tim Seifert and Finn Allen hammering 30 in the first three overs, even as Seifert got a reprieve from Maheesh Theekshana. Then the tide turned as soon as spin was deployed. Theekshana came back to break the stand and New Zealand quickly lost both openers, managing just 14 for 2 in the next three overs. With the ball starting to grip, the spinners tightened control and the new batters found it hard to break free. 

Advantage New Zealand? From 98 for 6 at the end of the 16th over, New Zealand looked completely on the ropes, with real doubt over whether they would even bat through the full quota. But what followed was a stunning counterattack. They hammered 70 in the final four overs, completely changing the momentum and dragging themselves right back into the contest. From survival mode to serious momentum, New Zealand now head into the break with the game very much alive.

19.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, OUT! CAUGHT! A spectacular catch on the final ball, but the damage has been done. New Zealand end on 168/7. Full and pushed across off, Santner cracks the drive and picks the bones out of it. Neither does he get the elevation, nor is it wide enough of extra cover. Charith Asalanka, standing on the edge of the ring, flings himself to his right and takes a sharp grab. The ball stays in his grasp even as his elbow hits the turf.

19.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! Not convincing at all, but they all count. Full toss, outside off, Santner swings for the hills and shanks it off the inner half. It goes through the vacant mid-wicket region. Kamindu Mendis at long on is quick across the turf and dives to his left, but the ball evades him and goes into the ropes.

19.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, Full and angling away from the left-hander, Santner reaches out and slices it by opening the bat face. He plays it wide of deep backward point for a couple of runs.

19.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, Was there a touch? Kusal Mendis thinks so, and Dasun Shanaka has gone for the review. Chameera gets it near the tramline, close to the popping crease. Santner has a swing at it, but misses and the ball goes through to the keeper. There is a scratch on UltraEdge but that is of the bat hitting the turf, and a gap is visible between the bat and the ball. The on-field decision of NOT OUT stands.

19.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, SIX! Mitchell Santner adjusts and sends it all the way. Chameera misses the yorker, low full toss, outside off. This time, Santner walks across the stumps, takes it on the full and tonks it towards the sight screen for a six.

19.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, With the shorter boundary on the leg side, Chameera steams in from over the wicket with the field set for wide yorker. He nails the yorker, near the tramline. Santner fails to dig it out.

Another over that goes into double digits. 58 runs in the last 3 overs for New Zealand and to make matters worse for Sri Lanka, they have been penalised for a slow over rate. They will now have to have five fielders inside the 30-yard circle. Dushmantha Chameera (3-0-26-2) to wrap up.

18.6: Dilshan Madushanka to Mitchell Santner, Very full, on off, Santner hits it down to long off for a single. 19 runs off the over!

18.5: Dilshan Madushanka to Mitchell Santner, A slower ball, at just 118.9 kph, full and on the stumps, Santner heaves it off the inner half between long on and deep mid-wicket. Asalanka gets across to his left from long on, has a slight fumble, which allows the batters to cross for the second.

18.5: Dilshan Madushanka to Mitchell Santner, Wide! Banged in short by Dilshan Madushanka, over middle and leg. It goes over the batter's head for a wide.

18.4: Dilshan Madushanka to Mitchell Santner, SIX! Mitchell Santner does not miss out this time! Dilshan Madushanka goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a full toss, on middle and leg. Santner makes room and extends his hands to pump it over long on for a six. 150 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

18.4: Dilshan Madushanka to Mitchell Santner, Wide! Mitchell Santner will feel that he missed out. Full toss and going down leg, Santner just has to get some bat on it to help it away but he fails to do so.

18.3: Dilshan Madushanka to Mitchell Santner, Good cricket all around! Dilshan Madushanka spots Santner backing away and he follows him with a searing yorker at the toes. Santner jams it out in front of long on. Cole McConchie scampers through and makes it to the danger end.

18.2: Dilshan Madushanka to Cole McConchie, Just over! Dilshan Madushanka keeps it full and wide from over the wicket. Cole gets his bat down and slices just over the leaping backward point fielder. Just a single.

18.2: Dilshan Madushanka to Cole McConchie, Wide! That is harsh on the bowler. Dilshan Madushanka spots the batter shuffling to the off side and he pushes it even wider on off. Cole fails to squeeze it out. Wide given despite the batter's movement and Madushanka is not happy one bit.

18.1: Dilshan Madushanka to Cole McConchie, FOUR! Clever, very clever! With a field set for the wide yorker, Dilshan Madushanka executes the delivery. Near the tramline, McConchie walks across, takes it on the full and glides it with an open bat face. He plays it fine of the man at deep backward point for a boundary.

Momentum has flipped in the last couple of overs as New Zealand have smashed 39 runs in the last 12 balls. 160 looks like a possibility now, which was way too far at one stage. Dilshan Madushanka (2-0-15-0) to bowl the penultimate over.

17.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, Shorter and wider on off. Mitchell reaches out and gets on top of the bounce. He punches it wide of extra cover and the batters collect a couple. 21 runs off the over.

17.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, SIX! Back-to-back maximums for the Kiwi skipper. 19 runs off the over with a ball to go. Maheesh Theekshana probably went searching for the yorker. He got it all wrong. A high full toss but it snuck just under the waist. Santner stood tall and smoked it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. The fifty stand comes up as well.

Is that a No Ball? Santner struck a six and straightaway looked at the umpire for a No Ball for height. The third umpire is brought into action and Ball Tracking shows that the ball just dipped below the waist height. Not at the point of contact, but at the original position of the batter. So it is deemed a fair delivery. 

17.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, SIX! All the way! Angled into the left-hander, a fuller delivery and on middle. Santner unleashes the slog sweep. He does not quite get hold of it, but it still sails over the deep mid-wicket fence as it is hit towards the short boundary on the leg side.

17.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! The errors in the field are creeping in for Sri Lanka. Short and on off, Santner stays back and cuts it square on the off side. Pavan Rathnayake sprints and dives to his right in the deep but as his elbow hits the turf, the ball slips out of his grasp and rolls into the fence.

17.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Cole McConchie, Full and on the leg stump. Cole brings out the reverse and plays it behind square. It is mopped up in the deep. Just a single.

17.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Cole McConchie, This turns away, on a length, McConchie stays leg side to cut it away but misses due to the turn.

17.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, Two wides! Wayward from Maheesh. Too full and wide on off. Santner lets it go. The ball bursts through the gloves of the keeper and the batters pinch in a quick single.

Just the over New Zealand were looking for to get a lift off. Anything offered at pace was punished. Maheesh Theekshana (3-0-9-3) to bowl out now. He replaces Charith Asalanka.

16.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Cole McConchie, FOUR! A productive over for New Zealand, one they will hope kickstarts their fightback. 18 runs off it. Chameera switches to around the wicket and takes pace off. This is on top of off. McConchie picks the slower one and waits for the ball to arrive. He cuts it past the diving Maheesh Theekshana at backward point to his right. The fielder in the deep gets around and slides. He even gets a hand on it but it is not enough as the ball trickles into the fence.

16.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Santner, On the pads, on a length, Santner plays it with soft hands towards the vacant mid-wicket region. The batters think about the second, but Dushmantha Chameera hunts it down and keeps the batters to a single.

16.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Cole McConchie, Gets the yorker in, at the toes. Cole digs it out in front of square on the leg side for a run.

16.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Cole McConchie, SIX! Easy pickings! Chameera errs in both line and length. Leg-cutter, too full, too straight, on the pads, with the shorter of the two square boundaries being on the leg side. Cole picks it up neatly and sends it over deep square leg for another six.

16.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Cole McConchie, Good comeback from Chameera. Leg-cutter, on a good length, around the off stump. Cole hangs back to deal with it but is beaten on the outside edge and the ball dribbles back towards the keeper.

16.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Cole McConchie, SIX! Pace back on and Cole McConchie goes big. At 138.1 kph, angled in, on a length, on middle. McConchie puts his head down and plays the pick-up shot off the pads. He clears the short boundary on the leg side and hits it over deep mid-wicket for a six. 100 up for New Zealand.

Change in bowling as Wellalage has completed his spell. Dushmantha Chameera (2-0-8-2) is back on.

15.6: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, Shorter and across off from around the wicket. McConchie presses back and nudges it in front of mid-wicket for a run.

15.5: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, FOUR! Smart batting! First boundary in 33 balls for New Zealand. Around off, on a good length, Cole McConchie walks inside the line of the ball and sweeps it through backward square leg for a four.

15.4: Charith Asalanka to Mitchell Santner, Full and angled in, on middle. Santner uses his feet and smears it to wide long on. They cross.

15.3: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, Leg bye! The length is dragged back, on middle. Cole advances early and looks to flick it away. The ball spins past his bat and hits him on the front pad. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes on the off side.

15.2: Charith Asalanka to Mitchell Santner, Slows it down a bit, fuller as well, Santner steps out and punches it back past the bowler for a single.

15.1: Charith Asalanka to Mitchell Santner, Darted in at the sticks, Santner punches it off the back foot to cover.

14.6: Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Santner, Tossed up, fuller and on off, Santner pushes it to long off and keeps the strike with a single. 4-0-27-1 for Dunith Wellalage tonight.

14.5: Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Santner, Keeps it near the tramline, fractionally short, Santner flashes but is beaten. 27 balls since the last boundary, as informed by Mark Howard.

14.4: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, Short and around off, Cole waits on it and steers it behind point for a single.

14.3: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, Speared in with the arm from around the wicket, short and on middle. Cole plays it back to the bowler.

14.2: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, This is slower at 75 kph, short and on off. McConchie taps it off the toe end to cover.

14.1: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, Beaten! Pushed through at 90.1 kph, on a nagging length, outside off. Cole attempts the sweep but the ball skids through to go under the blade.

DRINKS BREAK. Sri Lanka have broken the back of this Kiwi middle order clinically and continue to press on in this middle phase. New Zealand scored a reasonable 44/2 in the Powerplay, but since then till this break, they have added 44 runs but have lost 4 important wickets as well. Theekshana and his fellow spinners have not allowed the batters to breathe freely on a pitch where the ball has gripped and constantly kept them second-guessing. With this being the last recognised batting pair for New Zealand, they would aim to bat out all 20 overs, and get to a respectable total, somewhere in the range of 140-150.

13.6: Charith Asalanka to Mitchell Santner, Full, with some flight, on middle, Santner pushes it back to the bowler. 

13.5: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, Short and on middle, this is pulled away through the square leg region for a single.

13.4: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, Fuller, pitching outside off, turning in. Cole McConchie lunges to defend but misses and wears on his front pad. The ball was doing too much and there seemed to be some bat involved.

13.3: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, A tad shorter, on middle, Cole McConchie once again gets on his back foot and looks to cut it, but is cramped for room and ends up getting the connection from the inner part of his bat. It bounces off to the leg side.

13.2: Charith Asalanka to Cole McConchie, Fuller and angling across the stumps. Cole McConchie rocks back and pats it to cover.

13.1: Charith Asalanka to Mitchell Santner, Fuller, on off, Mitchell Santner leans on the delivery and drives it gently to long off for a single.

12.6: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, Short, outside off, Cole McConchie punches it to short cover.

12.5: Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Santner, Fuller, pitching outside off and turns in sharply. Mitchell Santner gets on his back foot and nudges it from the toe end of his bat to the right of the short mid-wicket fielder. Dushmantha Chameera dives and gets a hand on it but he cannot prevent the single.

12.4: Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Santner, A touch shorter, on off, Mitchell Santner gets on his front foot and defends it to the off side.

12.3: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, Flat and much fuller, on off, Cole McConchie drives it to long off and takes a single to get off the mark. That's the first run in eight deliveries.

12.2: Dunith Wellalage to Cole McConchie, Fullish, on off, Cole McConchie pushes it to short cover.

New Zealand are in all sorts of trouble at the Premadasa, with almost all their premier batters gone. Cole McConchie walks out to the middle at number 8.

12.1: Dunith Wellalage to Daryl Mitchell, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! 3 wickets in 6 balls. New Zealand are crumbling. Sliding on with the arm from around the wicket, on a length, around the off stump. Mitchell reaches out in front to defend but the ball cuts back in off the deck to beat him on the inside edge. It goes through the gap between the bat and the front pad before shattering the stumps. Sri Lanka are all over the Kiwis like a rash.

11.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, Pushed through, on a nagging length, on middle. Santner stabs it beside the strip on the off side. A potentially game-defining over, a single and 2 wickets off it.

11.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, A bit of mix-up between the batters! This is fuller, on middle, Mitchell Santner defends it to the short mid-wicket region and sets off to get a single, but Daryl Mitchell stops his sprint as he is interrupted by Maheesh Theekshana, who moves to his left to field it. However, Santner quickly realises and gets back home in time.

New Zealand are losing their way here now. 75/2 becomes 84/5 for them. In walks their skipper, Mitchell Santner, at number 7.

11.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, OUT! CASTLED! An absolute ripper from Maheesh Theekshana. A two-ball duck for Mark Chapman. 14 kph slower than the previous ball, another off-break, angled into the left-hander. This lands around the off stump. Chapman brings his bat out in front for the block to cover the line. The ball lands and straightens enough to go past the outside edge and hits the top of the off stump. New Zealand are now 5 down for 84. Sri Lanka are right on top.

11.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, Fuller, just outside off. Mark Chapman stands tall and pushes it to the short cover fielder.

One left-hander replaces the other. Here's Mark Chapman.

11.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, OUT! CAUGHT! Maheesh Theekshana strikes on his return to the attack. Rachin Ravindra throws his head back in disappointment. From around the wicket, Theekshana serves the off-break, shorter and wider, on off. It is there to be put away but the ball comes on slower than Rachin anticipated. He slashes but is early into the shot. Slices it off the outer half and the ball balloons straight to backward point, where Dushan Hemantha takes a dolly.

11.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Daryl Mitchell, Short and outside off, Daryl Mitchell bunts it through cover for one run.

10.6: Dunith Wellalage to Daryl Mitchell, Fuller, just outside the leg pole. Daryl Mitchell rolls his wrists to flick it to the left of the short fine leg fielder and retains the strike.

10.5: Dunith Wellalage to Rachin Ravindra, Short and angling it outside off. Rachin Ravindra slaps it to sweeper cover. Single taken.

10.4: Dunith Wellalage to Daryl Mitchell, Slower through the air this time, fuller around the pads of the batter. Daryl Mitchell gets down on one knee and sweeps it through square leg for a single.

10.3: Dunith Wellalage to Rachin Ravindra, Short, on leg, Rachin Ravindra punches it to long on and gets a single.

10.2: Dunith Wellalage to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Nicely done! Floated up, full and wide on off, Rachin gets down on a knee and drags the sweep to the left of long on for a boundary.

10.1: Dunith Wellalage to Rachin Ravindra, Short, outside off, Rachin Ravindra gets an inside edge while performing his sweep and the ball hits his back pad.

9.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Daryl Mitchell, That's an excellent delivery! Yorker, tailing down the leg side. Daryl Mitchell looks to flick at it but misses the connection on his bat. Kusal Mendis does well to dive to his left and gather it. Mitchell looks at the umpire asking for a wide, but the umpire remains unmoved. What an over, just two runs and a wicket from it. At the halfway mark, New Zealand are 75/3.

9.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Daryl Mitchell, Full, on off, not much movement on this one. Daryl Mitchell takes a step across the stumps and clips it to square leg.

9.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Daryl Mitchell, Pitches it up, does Chameera, on off. Daryl Mitchell defends it back to the bowler.

The 41-run stand has been broken. The new batter for New Zealand is...Daryl Mitchell.

9.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Phillips, OUT! TIMBER! Let me do it myself, says Dushmantha Chameera. He lets out a big roar, and he is thrilled to bits. Chameera hits the deck hard, on a good length, on middle. Not the best of shot selections from Glenn Phillips as he stays rooted to the crease and pushes out in front, trying to force it down the ground. The ball lands and jags back in to go past the inside edge and clatters into the stumps.

9.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Rachin Ravindra, DROPPED! This time, it's the skipper Shanaka himself. A full-length delivery outside off. Ravindra plants his front foot and swings hard, but gets it off the toe end, as the bat twists in his hands on impact. The ball skies high towards mid on. Shanaka charges in from outside the circle, settles under it, gets both hands to the ball, but it bursts through his palms and spills out. A single taken. Chameera watches helplessly.

9.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Phillips, Tap and run! Full-length delivery, on off and middle. Glenn Phillips pushes it with soft hands to long on and gets a comfortable single.

8.6: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, Short and wide of off, slapped to deep point for a single.

8.5: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, Short and quick, this is chopped to backward point.

8.4: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, Short and wide outside off, Glenn Phillips cuts it wide of deep cover and gets a couple of runs.

8.3: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! That has been belted away! Much fuller, on off. Glenn Phillips clears his front foot and goes back over the bowler's head. The long on fielder has no chance to cut it off.

8.2: Dushan Hemantha to Rachin Ravindra, Short and outside off, Rachin slaps it through cover and gets across for a single.

8.1: Dushan Hemantha to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! What a shot! Full from Dushan Hemantha to start the new over. Rachin Ravindra charges down the track and slams it up and over the long on fence for half a dozen. 

7.6: Charith Asalanka to Glenn Phillips, Quicker this time from Charith Asalanka, fuller and on middle. Glenn Phillips rocks back and tucks it to the vacant mid-wicket region to get a couple of runs. A tidy first over from Charith Asalanka!

7.5: Charith Asalanka to Rachin Ravindra, Short, outside off, Rachin Ravindra drives it to long on for another single.

7.4: Charith Asalanka to Glenn Phillips, Across off, on the shorter side, Glenn Phillips hammers it to long on for one.

7.3: Charith Asalanka to Rachin Ravindra, Full and quick, on off, driven to long off for a single.

7.2: Charith Asalanka to Glenn Phillips, Oh, what an attempt that is from Pavan Rathnayake! This is a touch fuller, on middle. Glenn Phillips swipes it uppishly and the ball goes to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder. Rathnayake dives and extends his right hand to stop it on the bounce and saves a certain boundary. Single taken.

7.1: Charith Asalanka to Rachin Ravindra, Tossed up, fuller, on middle, Rachin Ravindra punches it to long on to rotate the strike.

6.6: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, Fuller, with some flight on offer, on the stumps, Glenn Phillips drives it towards the left of the long on fielder. It's Dunith Wellalage, who sprints and dives to make a stop. Two taken.

6.5: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, Tossed up, on off, Glenn Phillips eases it in front of cover.

6.4: Dushan Hemantha to Rachin Ravindra, Fullish, around off, Rachin Ravindra drives it to sweeper cover for a single. 50 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

6.3: Dushan Hemantha to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! SHOT! Much fuller, just outside off. Rachin Ravindra presses on his front foot and drills it hard toward the right of the bowler. It races away downtown for four runs.

6.2: Dushan Hemantha to Rachin Ravindra, A flighted delivery outside off at 82.9 kph. Rachin strides forward and looks to work it across the line but is beaten on the inside edge. Kusal Mendis gathers it cleanly behind the stumps and whips off the bails. They appeal for a stumping and the decision is referred upstairs, where replays confirm that Rachin’s back leg is grounded at the moment the bails are dislodged. NOT OUT.

6.1: Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Phillips, Full-length delivery, outside off, Glenn Phillips lunges and drives it a bit upishly toward wide long off for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! End of an eventful Powerplay, which was a tale of two halves. First 3 overs - 30/0, next 3 overs - 14/2. On a surface that has gripped for the spinners, Sri Lanka will look to take control through the middle phase. This is where they can really squeeze and build pressure. From New Zealand's perspective, it is upto their middle order to build through this phase of the game and assess what a good total will be on this track. The leggie Dushan Hemantha to bowl after the break.

5.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, From around the wicket. Not that short, sliding in and around middle. Rachin Ravindra stays back and whips it to the left of mid-wicket for a couple of runs. New Zealand end their Powerplay on 44/2.

5.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Glenn Phillips, ABSOLUTE BEAUTY! Flicks the ball out from the front of his hand, landing it on a good length around off. The ball grips and turns away after pitching, squaring up Glenn Phillips as he looks to work it into the leg side. It takes a faint outside edge, just evading the off stump, before striking Kusal Mendis on the right arm and deflecting towards the short third region, allowing a single. Was very close to the off pole though.

5.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Glenn Phillips, Straighter ball, full and in front of middle, Glenn Phillips plays with a straight bat and blocks it back to the bowler watchfully.

5.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, Drags the length back, outside off, Rachin crunches it to cover where the fielder moves rapidly to his right and stops it. One taken.

5.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Glenn Phillips, The carrom ball, on off, on a good length, Phillips knocks it to the left of mid off for a single.

5.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Glenn Phillips, Sharp grip on a length, on leg, Glenn Phillips looks to nudge it around the corner, plays all around it and gets rapped on the thigh pad.

4.6: Dushmantha Chameera to Rachin Ravindra, BEATEN! Good response by Chameera! Hits the deck hard, nips in from around the off stump, cutting the batter in half. Rachin gets flummoxed as he tries to block off the back foot, but gets beaten on the inside edge.

4.5: Dushmantha Chameera to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Glorious! Back of a length, width offered outside off, Rachin Ravindra gets on top of the bounce and cracks the shot through the cover gap for a crisp boundary. That's trademark Rachin Ravindra.

4.4: Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Phillips, Slower length ball, on the stumps, jagging back in. Glenn tucks it to the mid-wicket region for a single.

4.3: Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Phillips, Searing pace, almost a yorker, on off, Glenn Phillips carves it out to the point region. Wait on! There's an appeal from Dasun Shanaka for LBW, but the timer runs out and the replay shows that it was all bat.

Glenn Phillips is the new batter. The dropped catch of Tim Seifert does not cost the Lankans much. Having dismissed both openers, they have their tails up. The crowd is right behind Chameera as he steams in. Get a slip in, pleads Angelo Mathews on air.

4.2: Dushmantha Chameera to Tim Seifert, OUT! CAUGHT! Spectacular catch by Kamindu Mendis and Sri Lanka have managed to dismiss both the Kiwi openers inside the Powerplay. Chameera slips in a full ball, around middle and leg. The ball nips back in a touch as well and hurries Seifert in his shot. He whips it across, but does not get the desired distance and airs it towards deep square leg. Kamindu Mendis runs to his left, times his leap to perfection and takes a well-judged catch in the outfield. New Zealand slip from 30/0 to 34/2.

4.1: Dushmantha Chameera to Rachin Ravindra, On a hard length, on off, Rachin Ravindra crisply punches it between mid off and cover. Dunith Wellalage swiftly moves and dives to his right from mid off to intercept it, keeping it down to a single only.

Dushmantha Chameera has been introduced into the attack. The right-arm speedster replaces Dilshan Madushanka.

3.6: Maheesh Theekshana to Tim Seifert, Off break on a length, on off, Tim Seifert stabs it down the pitch. Theekshana dives to his right and stops it. Excellent start for Theekshana. A wicket and just 3 runs from it.

3.5: Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, Full and quick, driven down to long off for a single.

3.4: Maheesh Theekshana to Tim Seifert, Stump-to-stump line, on a length, Tim nudges it through mid on for a run.

3.3: Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, Fullish and on off, Rachin drives it to long off for a single.

3.2: Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, Full and on off, Rachin blocks off the front foot.

In walks Rachin Ravindra at number 3.

3.1: Maheesh Theekshana to Finn Allen, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Maheesh Theekshana makes amends for his dropped catch and provides the first breakthrough for his side. Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means, as he dishes out a carrom ball on a length, angling on the leg stump. Finn Allen backs away and tries to whip it across, but does not read the variation from Theekshana. Ends up chipping it tamely off the leading edge and it lobs back to the bowler. The ball dips on Maheesh Theekshana as dives to his left to take a fine catch. New Zealand are 30/1.

Will Dasun Shanaka persist with Dunith Wellalage? The answer is no. Maheesh Theekshana replaces Wellalage. He will be keen to make amends after dropping Seifert in the previous over.

2.6: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, A low full toss that tails back in and around leg. Allen drills it wide of mid off and steals a quick single.

2.5: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, Slower one, on a length, outside off, Allen throws the kitchen sink at it to slash it through point, but only manages a thick under edge and the ball bounces back to the keeper.

2.4: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, FOUR! Top shot! Very full, almost a half volley, on middle, Allen gets under the ball nicely and pummels it over the bowler for a boundary straight down the ground. The camera pans to Theekshana, who has his hands on his head.

2.3: Dilshan Madushanka to Tim Seifert, DROPPED! Theekshana is the guilty party and Dilshan Madushanka has a go at his teammate. Full and outside off, Tim Seifert tries to thrash that away to the off side, but gets a fat outside edge and the ball flies to the left of short third. Maheesh Theekshana is a bit late diving and throws himself to take the catch, but doesn't hold on to it. A single taken. But that's a very costly drop early in the innings and only time will tell how much it will affect the Islanders.

2.2: Dilshan Madushanka to Tim Seifert, Full and on off, Tim clears the front leg, heaves it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

2.1: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, Quick run! At 118.6 kph, this one swings back in on a good length, Finn punches it off the back foot to the right of mid off and sets off for a single. The fielder there gets across and throws it in one motion, but misses his shy at the bowling end. Allen was in any way.

1.6: Dunith Wellalage to Tim Seifert, FOUR! PUNISHED! A bit too short by Wellalage, drifting on the leg stump. Tim Seifert is quick to pivot on the back foot and pulls it through the vacant square leg region, beating deep mid-wicket's chase for the third boundary of the over. A very profitable over for New Zealand. 15 from it.

1.5: Dunith Wellalage to Finn Allen, Slowish through the air, on a fuller length, Allen pushes it to the cover region for an easy single.

1.4: Dunith Wellalage to Finn Allen, FOUR MORE! A bit uppish, but it goes safely. Spins away from off, on a good length with some bounce. Allen throws his hands at it and gets a thickish outside edge. The ball goes uppishly but between cover and backward point for a boundary.

1.3: Dunith Wellalage to Finn Allen, FOUR! Through the gap! A touch short by Dunith, around off, Finn Allen rocks back and cracks the back foot punch through the cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

1.2: Dunith Wellalage to Tim Seifert, Slides back in on a length, on middle, Tim Seifert nudges it off the inner half of the bat to mid on for a single.

1.1: Dunith Wellalage to Finn Allen, In-drifter on a fuller length, on off, Finn backs away and knocks it down to long off for a single.

It will be spin from the other end in the form of the left-arm finger spinner, Dunith Wellalage. A move on expected lines given the presence of two right-handers at the crease. From around the wicket with a slip in place.

0.6: Dilshan Madushanka to Tim Seifert, One more that nips back in from off. Tim gets forward and tries to whip it across, but inside edges on the front boot and the ball then trickles to the catching or the silly mid off.

0.5: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, Gentle inswing on the leg stump, Finn drives it off the front foot, all along the ground to long on for a single.

A quick chat between the umpire Asif Yaqoob and the Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka. Russel Arnold believes the home side was asking if that was a four.

0.4: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, SIX! Just over! A bit of inswing on a fuller length, on middle. Slightly overpitched and Finn Allen whips it off the inner half, targets the shorter boundary and clears deep mid-wicket for the first six of the game. It goes 71 meters.

0.3: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, On a back of a length, shaping in from off, Finn bunts it off the back foot and Madushanka dives to his right on the follow-through to stop the ball. That brings about a loud cheer from the crowd at the Premadasa.

0.2: Dilshan Madushanka to Finn Allen, The short mid off stays for Allen. In-angler again, full and on middle, Finn Allen pushes at it with hard hands, gets a thick inside edge. The ball brushes the pads and rolls back to the bowler.

0.1: Dilshan Madushanka to Tim Seifert, Movement straightaway! Madushanka swings the ball into the batter, on a good length, from middle to leg. Tim Seifert looks to work it across to the leg side, but gets a thick inside edge on the back thigh and the ball then rolls wide of point for a single.

The pre-match formalities are done. Dasun Shanaka has his troops in a huddle for a pep talk before taking the field. Out walk the Bash Brothers, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert. Left-arm quick, Dilshan Madushanka will kickstart proceedings. No slip, but Sri Lanka have a short mid off in place for Seifert. Interesting. Here we go!

We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, the two teams will line up for the national anthems. Dasun Shanaka and Mitchell Santner share a fist bump as they lead their sides out onto the park. It will be New Zealand's national anthem first, followed by that of the home side.

A quick word - New Zealand's Ish Sodhi expresses gratitude for being among the top wicket-takers in T20Is, adding that it feels good to be in Sri Lanka and that he is eager to get going. Reflecting on his flipper, he shares that he first attempted the delivery at the age of 12 but took nearly 21 years to confidently use it in a match. Ish describes it as a skill developed over a long period, crediting Shane Warne for his guidance, having learned key nuances of the art from the legendary spinner. Speaking about his improved run-up and rhythm, Sodhi explains that it stems from adapting to the evolving demands of T20 cricket. He notes that pitches in New Zealand tend to favour seam bowling, prompting him to add more energy to his approach after feeling he was previously bowling too slowly. He adds that this adjustment, made over the past three to four years, is now yielding results. On playing in Sri Lanka, Sodhi points out that conditions differ significantly from those in India but stresses that New Zealand possess a strong and adaptable batting unit. With all Super 8 matches being crucial, he stresses the importance of building momentum ahead of their clash against England.

PITCH REPORT - Aaron Finch notes the ground dimensions as a key tactical factor. Says the square boundary on one side measures just 62 meters, while the other side stretches to 75 meters, with the straight boundary also being 75 meters. He points out the presence of large pockets, suggesting captains will need to think carefully about their plans. Russel Arnold, offering his reading of the surface, describes it as dry with a slightly rough covering of grass. He mentions that while there could be some variable pace and bounce, it is unlikely to trouble batters significantly, making it a surface where runs can still be scored freely. Russ underlines that spin is expected to play a major role, noting that in Sri Lankan conditions, slower deliveries tend to generate more turn. However, he adds that these are not typically wicket-taking surfaces, and bowlers will need to outthink batters by consistently bowling away from their hitting zones. Based on his assessment, Arnold feels that a first innings total of around 170 would be a competitive score.

Backs the openers to continue the momentum - The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner says that their last match got washed out, but they got a couple of days to practice and get ready for this match. Continues that the top order has done a very good job so far in the tournament, and he wishes that they continue with their momentum. Santner ends up saying that they have made one change in the playing XI with Cole McConchie in place of James Neesham to give a little boost to the spin department, assessing the dimensions of the ground.

Shanaka calls for batting accountability - Sri Lanka's skipper, Dasun Shanaka, on the learnings from the previous loss, admits that the batters need to take the game deep and hopes it will happen this time around. Informs one change as Kamil Mishara goes out and Asalanka comes into the XI. Highlights that the bowlers did a pretty decent job against England. On the surface, Shanaka expects some assistance for the spinners and also points out that New Zealand haven't played here for a while and won't know what the surface is going to offer, so that's the reason they have chosen to bowl first.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), Cole McConchie (In for James Neesham), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanka (In for Kamil Mishara), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka.