T20 World Cup 2026: With the help of Santner and McConkey, New Zealand set a target of 169 runs for Sri Lanka.

Colombo. Sri Lankan off-spinner Mahish Theekshana’s three blows tried to derail New Zealand but captain Mitchell Santner (47 runs) and Cole McConkie (31 not out) made a brilliant comeback and took the team to 168 runs for seven wickets in the ‘do or die’ Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.

New Zealand had lost four wickets for nine runs between 9.3 and 12.1 overs, with Teekshana (3 for 30) turning the match in the middle overs. But McConkie took the lead in the end while Santner stitched a crucial partnership of 84 runs for seven wickets at a crucial time in just 47 balls. Santner hit four sixes and two fours during his 26-ball innings. He was out on the last ball while McConkey hit three fours and two sixes in 23 balls.

New Zealand’s score was 98 runs for six wickets after 16 overs. Then McConkey scored 18 runs by hitting two sixes and a four on Dushmantha Chameera (three wickets for 38 runs). After this, Santner hit a four and two sixes on Sri Lanka’s best bowler Teekshana in the 18th over, scoring 21 runs. Thanks to these two, the New Zealand team scored 70 runs in the last four overs.

Sri Lankan bowlers bowled well but faltered in the last overs due to wrong line and length. After Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl, off-spinner Teekshana and fast bowler Chameera together restrained New Zealand by taking six wickets.

England have already advanced to the next round from Group Two, so New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a chance for a place in the semi-finals. New Zealand had scored 73 runs for two wickets in nine overs. Finn Allen scored 23 runs in 13 balls with three fours and one six while Rachin Ravindra scored 32 runs in 22 balls (three fours, one six).

After this Teekshana put a break in his innings. He dismissed Allen with his carrom ball. Later, after dismissing Ravindra, he did not even allow Mark Chapman to open his account within three balls. Chameera supported him brilliantly. Bowling at a speed of more than 140 kmph, he dismissed Tim Seifert (08) and Glenn Phillips (18) while Dunith Velalge dismissed Daryl Mitchell (03).