Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Super 8 - Match 6 Match Summary

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 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 in the Super 8s. With this result, they can no longer qualify for the semis.

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.

Too full, around off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana walks in next.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

In-between length, outside off, crunched to deep cover-point for a single. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA!

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.

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.

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

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.

Overpitched on middle, Dunith Wellalage carves it to deep point for a single.

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.