Sri Lanka faced New Zealand at the R Premedasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday in a must-win game for both sides to keep their hope alive for the semi-final. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first.
Tim Seifert and Finn Allen gave an amazing start to the Kiwis, as they were scoring 10 an over in the first three overs. Until the latter who was the aggressor among the two, was dismissed, on the score of 23 off 13 deliveries by Maheesh Theekshana.
Theekshana made it up in his first over after putting down an important catch of Seifert before bowling his over. Seifert went back after scoring 8 off 9 deliveries. Dushmantha Chameera, after picking Seifert, quickly dismissed Glenn Phillips as the batter was bowled with an excellent delivery.
Later on, Rachin Ravindra, who was looking settled in the pitch, scored 32 off 22 balls, went back in the dressing room with Theekshana picking his second wicket of the game. The Black Caps were down to 84/4. In the same over, Theekshana picked his third wicket, dismissing Mark Chapman for a duck.
Mitchell Santner is the hero for the Kiwis
They struggled with three wickets falling in the span of zero runs. From 84/3 to 84/6 at one stage. Skipper Mitchell Santner took charge as the captain led from the front. Santner and Cole McConchie turned on the switch from the 15th over, as both batters scored 78 runs off the last five overs. The two batters stitched a partnership of 84 off 51 balls.
The two batters first built a partnership with the team struggling, and even 120 was not possible to score. Later on, they shifted gears, with Santner batting at 6 off 12 balls at one stage, and then he shifted his pace, scoring 47 off 26 balls, smashing one four and four sixes.
McConchie scored 31 off 23 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. They posted a target of 168/7. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers, finishing 30/3. Despite the spinner giving 9 in the first three overs, he went for 21 in his last over. Santner has really improved his batting in recent times, and showcased it in the most important game for the Kiwis.
During the mid-innings show, McConchie praised the way Mitchell Santner batted. The former said, "Nice batting with someone like Mitch, he calmed it down out there. We just trusted we could make it up at the backend. Great striking from Mitch."
"Hopefully bowlers can get some response out of the wicket, boys will be on today, and we can defend this total. [On the crowd] Special to play in front of the home Sri Lankan crowd, and hopefully we can silence them early."
Fans react to Mitchell Santner save New Zealand's innings
Mitchell Santner is a complete package...#NZvsSL #T20WorldCup
— Mohsin Sheikh?? (@mohsinsheikh88) February 25, 2026Captain Mitchell Santner
— Bablu (@BabluCh31201102) February 25, 2026?This is Different New Zealand ?Earlier kiwis used to choke in this situation or couldn't resist the collapse but this World Cup someone is coming to be saviour everytime. This time Santner & McConchie. #NZvsSL #SLvsNZpic.twitter.com/XkygLEKV6z
— Unapologetic Hindu (@itsSKS17) February 25, 2026Mitchell Santner is such a blessing for the kiwis. He bats, bowls, fields, & captains the side as well. A perfect No.7 or 8 to have in any team.#T20WorldCup #NZvsSL
— Abhishek Sharma (@abhishek6259) February 25, 2026Mitchell Santner jab mature all rounder hua to CSK ne usko MI mein jaane diya ?
— Gagan?? (@1no_aalsi_) February 25, 2026Yesterday – Harry Brook stepped up for England as captain.Today – Mitchell Santner played a blinder for New Zealand with the bat. pic.twitter.com/reWToUSPii
— A Y A A N (@ayaantweets69) February 25, 2026Runs scored by captains of Super8 TeamsHarry Brook ??????? - 202 (6)Aiden Markram ?? - 182 (5)Surya Kumar Yadav ?? - 180 (5)Shai Hope ? - 169 (4)Sikandar Raza ?? - 102 (4)Dasun Shanaka ?? - 86 (4)Mitchell Santner ?? - 68 (3)Salman Agha ?? - 60 (5)(No of innings)t
— Awais (@32whenn) February 25, 2026? INSANE COMEBACK ?Mitchell Santner & Cole McConchie smashed 70 runs in the last 4 overs...????#SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/2VjCghEt9Q
— Arun Chaudhary?? (@iarunchaudhary) February 25, 2026Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar shifts blame to Salman Ali Agha after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup exit
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