Matt Henry picked the crucial wicket to inform Nissanka; However, the latter failed to get past double figures in the second consecutive game. Pathum Nissanka scored 100 and fifty in the last two group stage matches against Australia and Zimbabwe.
Pathum Nissanka’s run of low scores continues
Pathum Nissanka has now scored a 0 and a 9 in the last two games. Nissanka was the team’s highest points scorer with 208 points. However, Pathum Nissanka’s form in the Super 8 will be a concern for the island nation as if they lose today, they will be eliminated from the competition.
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What a ball #MattHenry reject #Nissanka on a golden duck. NZ got off to a flying start by taking the wicket of SL’s batters on the very first ball
Henry storm 🔥#Henry #nzvssl #nissanka #kiwis #T20WC2026 pic.twitter.com/3rUWcpk5a1— CSD 06 (@CSD11198) February 25, 2026
In the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to play first. Kiwi openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen got the side off to a blistering start, scoring 30 from the first three overs. The latter was the aggressor among the two scoring 23 from 13 balls.
New Zealand gains confidence after collapse
However, Allen was picked up by Maheesh Theekshana, who dropped a catch from Seifert before converting his. Seifert went back in the space of three runs, with Dushmantha Chameera taking the wicket. The speedster also picked Glenn Phillips with an excellent delivery.
Rachin Ravindra scored 32 off 22 balls and returned with a loose shot against Theekshana while the Kiwis were still 84/4. In the same over, Theekshana took his third wicket, dismissing Mark Chapman for a duck. They struggled with three wickets falling in the space of zero runs. From 84/3 to 84/6 in one phase.
Cole McConchie and skipper Mitchell Santner turned on the switch as both batters, after settling in, scored at a good pace, scoring 78 runs in the last five overs. The two batters formed a partnership of 84 off 51 balls.
The former scored 31 off 23 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, while the skipper scored 47 off 26 balls, hitting one four and four sixes. They set a target of 168/7. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers, finishing at 30/3.
Sri Lanka’s batting collapses again
This creates something that the bowlers can defend on a difficult surface. Currently, Sri Lanka are struggling at 49/5 after 11.2 overs with both openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, back in the pavilion. The latter, who has scored 11 out of 22 so far, was the highest scorer for the side.
Sri Lanka’s batting collapse in the Super 8 was visible as they struggled to play spin on their home ground. They were bowled out for 95 runs while chasing 146 in their first Super 8 match against England.
Also read: Fans react as Mitchell Santner saves New Zealand from a humiliating first innings total against Sri Lanka
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