By Alam Zeb Safi
COLOMBO: All-rounder Rachin Ravindra starred with bat and ball as New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 61 runs in their Super Eights Group 2 clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Tuesday, tightening their grip on a semi-final berth.
After contributing a brisk 32 to steady the innings, Ravindra returned to claim 4-27 as Sri Lanka were restricted to 107-8 in reply to New Zealand’s 168-7 at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Electing to field first, Sri Lanka made early inroads but failed to capitalise as New Zealand recovered from a mid-innings wobble through captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie.
Opener Finn Allen set the tone with a lively 23 off 13 balls before being dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana, who finished with 3-30. Ravindra then combined fluency with composure, striking three fours and a six in his 22-ball knock to keep the scoring rate healthy despite regular wickets.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck in clusters, reducing New Zealand to 84-6 in the 12th over as Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana shared six wickets between them. However, Santner counterattacked with a captain’s innings, smashing 47 off 26 deliveries, including four sixes, to swing momentum back in New Zealand’s favour.
McConchie provided strong support with an unbeaten 31 off 23 balls as the pair added 84 runs for the seventh wicket, lifting New Zealand to a competitive 168-7.
Sri Lanka’s chase faltered from the outset. Matt Henry removed Pathum Nissanka with the first ball of the innings and also dismissed Charith Asalanka to leave the hosts reeling at 6-2.
Kusal Mendis struggled to accelerate before falling for 11, stumped off Ravindra, as Sri Lanka crawled to 20-2 at the end of the powerplay. Ravindra then dismantled the middle order, claiming four key wickets including captain Dasun Shanaka and Dushan Hemantha.
Kamindu Mendis (31) and Dunith Wellalage (29) attempted to rebuild but the required rate kept climbing, and Sri Lanka never threatened New Zealand’s total.
Santner’s left-arm spin tightened the screws in the middle overs, while Glenn Phillips chipped in with a wicket as Sri Lanka limped to 107-8 from their 20 overs.
The result earned New Zealand two crucial points in the Super Eights stage, while Sri Lanka’s campaign suffered a significant setback as they are now out of the semi-finals race with their second successive loss.
Summary Scorecard
New Zealand 168-7 (20 overs)
Mitchell Santner 47 (26), Rachin Ravindra 32 (22), Cole McConchie 31* (23)
Maheesh Theekshana 3-30, Dushmantha Chameera 3-38
Sri Lanka 107-8 (20 overs)
Kamindu Mendis 31 (23), Dunith Wellalage 29 (23)
Rachin Ravindra 4-27, Matt Henry 2-3
Result: New Zealand won by 61 runs
Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (32 & 4-27)
