R. PREMADASA STADIUM, COLOMBO – New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie scripted a stunning revival in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 game, helping their side recover to 168/7 after a top-order collapse against Sri Lanka.
Opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka saw NZ open with purpose: Allen (23 off 13: 3×4, 1×6) and Seifert (8) added 30 before both fell. Phillips (18) and Ravindra (32 off 22: 3×4, 1×6) pushed the score to safer waters with 41 runs, but a middle-order meltdown saw Chapman (0) and Mitchell (3) back in the hut quickly.
At 84/6, the match seemed Sri Lanka’s, but Santner-McConchie had other plans. Their match-defining 84-run partnership off 47 deliveries featured Santner’s 47 (26 balls, 4 sixes, 2 fours) and McConchie’s gritty 31* (23 balls, 5 boundaries), propelling NZ to respectability.
Bowling honors went to Theekshana (3/??) and Chameera (3/??), Wellalage (1). New Zealand played: Allen, Seifert†, Ravindra, Phillips, Chapman, Mitchell, McConchie*, Henry, Sodhi, Ferguson – led by Santner.
Sri Lanka’s squad under Shanaka: Nissanka, Mendis†, Asalanka, Rathnayake, K. Mendis, Wellalage, Hemantha, Chameera, Theekshana, Madushanka.
The chase promises drama with conditions favoring spin and potential dew aiding batsmen later. New Zealand’s fightback keeps their campaign on track.