In a crucial Group 2 clash in Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, it was Sri Lanka under Dasun Shanaka who won the toss and elected to bowl first on a fresh wicket full of dryness and no grass. New Zealand got off to a flier courtesy mainly Finn Allen as 30 was scored off 3 overs. But the Lankans hit back and have managed to get rid of openers in powerplay to leave the game in balance at this stage.
Sri Lanka removes both New Zealand openers inside the powerplay
Put into bat first, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen came out to bat for New Zealand while Dilshan Madushanka had ball in hand for Sri Lanka. Allen showed his intentions clear as he heaved it away over midwicket for a flat maximum. Dunith Wellalage took the ball from the other end. Allen was in the mood as he punched the ball between covers and cover point for a boundary and then squirted it away for a boundary to backward point region. Seifert joined in the fun as he rocked back and pulled it past deep midwicket for a boundary.
Madushanka continued as Seifert got a lifeline as Theekshana dropped a tough chance at short third man. Allen then came on strike and he pumped it down the ground straight as an arrow for a boundary. Maheesh Theekshana came into the attack next and he struck the first blood for Sri Lanka removing Allen for 23 off 13 balls with 3 fours and one six to his name.
Theekshana from over the wicket bowled it flatter on the leg as it was a carrom ball. Allen stayed deep in his crease and looked to punch it through mid-on but got it off the outer half of the bat to the left of Theekshana who dived and grabbed it safely. Allen was early into the stroke and he paid the price as the bowler took the catch. Rachin Ravindra came out to bat next and got off the mark as well.
Dushmantha Chameera came into the attack next. He removed Seifert for 8 off 9 balls with a boundary to his name. Chameera bowled a length delivery angling in on the body. Seifert with his strong bottom hand whips it aerially behind square in the leg side. He failed to get the required elevation and picked out deep backward square leg where Kamindu out in the boundary line timed his jump to perfection and grabbed it above his head right on the edge of the ropes.
Glenn Phillips came out to bat next. He got off the mark soon. Ravindra then drove it crisply on the up through the covers as the ball went away to the fence. Theekshana came to bowl the final over of the powerplay and bowled a decent over. At the end of the powerplay of 6 overs, New Zealand were 44/2 with Ravindra unbeaten on 10 off 8 balls and Phillips unbeaten on 3 off 6 balls. We also paused for the Drinks Break also at this stage.
Glenn Phillips falls while Rachin Ravindra keeps New Zealand in the game to keep the match in the balance
Dushan Hemantha came into the attack post the powerplay and break. Ravindra survived a stumping chance as his foot was grounded inside the line. Ravindra then drilled Hemantha down the ground between long-on and long-off for a boundary. The 50 came up for New Zealand in 6.4 overs. Charith Asalanka came into the attack next and bowled a decent first over.
Hemantha continued as Ravindra took him on and went straight down the ground over long-on for the maximum. Phillips joined in the fun as he smashed the ball down the ground over the bowler’s head for a boundary. Phillips completed 500 runs in T20 World Cups. Chameera continued as Ravindra got a reprieve when on 25 where he miscued the ball up in the air and Shanaka ran in dropped the catch.
Chameera had his man in the end as he removed Phillips for 18 off 18 balls with a boundary to his name. He bowled a good length delivery scrambled seam that landed on off-stump and moved back in. Phillips was stuck in his crease and failed to move his feet and swung across the line and went through the gate between bat and pad to rattle the stumps. Daryl Mitchell came out to bat next and faced three dot balls as well. At the halfway stage of the game, New Zealand were 75/3 in 10 overs with Ravindra unbeaten on 26 off 17 balls and Mitchell unbeaten on 0 off 3 balls.
What Lies Ahead
It’s been an engrossing start to the contest. New Zealand have managed to get 75 runs but have lost 3 wickets. The match hangs in the balance as New Zealand needs a partnership to get to a decent total. Sri Lanka will look to chip away at the wickets and keep New Zealand on the back foot. Advantage Sri Lanka we can say at this stage. Let’s see what is the final first innings total here.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Sri Lanka Face Must-Win Situation Against Solid New Zealand.