New Zealand has more or less qualified for the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinals. The win for the Kiwis has now put Pakistan in a very dangerous position ahead of their game against England on Saturday.
The Kiwis had lost four games in a row after winning their first 4 games in the ODI World Cup 2023. The win on Thursday in Bengaluru has given New Zealand a great advantage to solidify their number four spot in the table.
Kane Williamson won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat on a hot day in Bengaluru. Both the teams made one change as Lockie Ferguson came in for Ish Sodhi. Chamika Karunaratne came in for Kasun Rajitha as the only change for the Sri Lankan team.
New Zealand coast home to easy win
Sri Lanka put into bat and were bowled out for just 171 runs in the 47th over. Kusal Perera began in a brisk manner reaching his half-century inside the first ten overs. Tim Southee began by removing Pathum Nissanka for 2.
Trent Boult then pegged back the Sri Lankan batting unit by picking three wickets in the first ten overs. The left-arm pacer first removed Kusal Mendis for 6 and followed it up with the wicket of Samarawickrama for 8. Charith Asalanka then fell for 1 when he was given out after New Zealand opted to take the DRS.
Mitchell Santner then joined the party as he first removed Angelo Mathews for 16 and Dhananjaya De Silva for 19. Both the catches were taken by Daryl Mitchell, with Sri Lanka at 128/9, it was Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka who added 43 runs for the final wicket. Theekshana was not out on 38 as Madushanka fell for 19.
Chasing 172 to win, New Zealand began briskly as Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra added 86 for the 1st wicket in 12.2 overs. Conway was out for 45 as Ravindra scored 42. Daryl Mitchell then swung his bat and scored 43 runs from 31 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes to give his side an easy win.
Here's how the fans reacted -
NEW ZEALAND DEFEATED SRI LANKA....!!!!
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 9, 2023
- They have "almost" sealed Semi-final spot. pic.twitter.com/GRlxYsy206
Now i will support team india lets go 🤣😛
— UمAIR Ali 🦅 (@UmairAL83912782) November 9, 2023
No QUADRAT KA NIZAM
— Pranav Singh (@ImPranav7306) November 9, 2023
NZ Knocked out Pakistan....
— Hriday Singh (@hridaysingh16) November 9, 2023
Well played New Zealand. Bye Bye Pakistan. Pack your bags and your time is up in India. 🔥🔥
— Indian Stats & Index (@statsfeed_india) November 9, 2023
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 isn't same after 50/10🐖
— Guri Pbks (@Guri_Pbks) November 9, 2023
55/10 🐖
Newzland Deserve They Played Really Well ❤️
— Talha Khan (@beingtalhakhan) November 9, 2023
Pakistan will defeat England with huge margin amd qualify
— Us+Man (@UsmanHere17) November 9, 2023
NewZealand achaaaaaa nhe kiya tm logo ny 🥹😭
— Mahreen 🇵🇰 (@tweetwithmarry) November 9, 2023