Well, that was unexpected after 15 overs of the New Zealand batting innings, but it’s a remarkable turnaround from the Kiwis. Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie set it up with a record-breaking 84-run seventh wicket partnership, and then Matt Henry and the spinners took over. Sri Lanka crumbled under pressure, and it’s a pretty poor showing after the crowd was so up for it at the start.
The win puts New Zealand in pole position for the semis with the big NRR boost it gives them, and leaves Pakistan with a huge task on their hands, even if they beat Sri Lanka and New Zealand lost to England. The hosts, Sri Lanka, are sadly out of the tournament.
Dunith Wellalage never gives up, and he’s keeping his scrappy instincts alive even as the game dies a slow, painful deathf or Sri Lanka. He’s hit a couple of fours and a six – the only six of the Sri Lankan innings. He’s unbeaten on 27 off 18, comfortably the highest strike rate for a Sri Lankan this innings. It won’t be enough to prevent a crushing defeat, but it’s still worth singling out for credit.
