New Zealand secured a crucial victory over Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, putting an end to their four-match losing streak at the World Cup. The win virtually guarantees New Zealand a spot in the semi-finals.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, the opening batsmen for New Zealand, provided a strong start to the chase, scoring 45 and 42 runs respectively. Daryl Mitchell’s contribution of 43 runs helped New Zealand reach the target of 172 runs in just 23.2 overs.
With this victory, New Zealand now has 10 points and is in a favorable position to claim the last semi-final spot alongside India, South Africa, and Australia. Pakistan would need an almost impossible margin of victory against England to surpass New Zealand on net run rate.
Similarly, Afghanistan’s hopes of qualifying for the knockouts are also slim, as they find themselves in a similar position to Sri Lanka before their match against South Africa.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson praised his team’s performance, especially considering the challenging conditions. He mentioned that the pitch slowed down later in the game, but the team showed great intent during the chase.
In the first innings, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner made crucial breakthroughs, restricting Sri Lanka to a total of 171 runs. Kusal Perera’s quick fifty and Maheesh Theekshana’s late effort were the only highlights for Sri Lanka.
Boult, who became the first New Zealand bowler to surpass 600 international wickets, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s must-win game. He also mentioned the excitement of facing India in the semi-finals, acknowledging their phenomenal cricket.
New Zealand’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss paid off, as Boult and Tim Southee dismantled the Sri Lankan top order. Despite Perera’s aggressive innings, Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships and eventually collapsed.
Santner played a crucial role in curtailing Sri Lanka’s progress, taking important wickets during a crucial phase of the innings. Sri Lanka’s captain, Kusal Mendis, expressed disappointment with their batting performance and believed that a good partnership in the middle overs could have led to a higher total.
With an unlikely miracle needed for Pakistan to secure a semi-final spot, New Zealand is set to face hosts India in the semi-finals. The match promises to be an exciting encounter against a strong home nation.
In conclusion, New Zealand’s victory over Sri Lanka puts them in a strong position to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup. The team’s performance was commendable, with both the batsmen and bowlers contributing to the win.
