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The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard provides a complete picture of one of the most closely followed cricket contests between the two sides. Sri Lanka and New Zealand have regularly faced each other in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, producing several memorable matches over the years.
The latest major men’s international meeting between the two teams came in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight stage. The match was played on 25 February 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, where New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs.
New Zealand scored 168/7 in 20 overs, while Sri Lanka finished on 107/8 in 20 overs. Rachin Ravindra played a major role for New Zealand, contributing 32 runs and later taking four wickets. Mitchell Santner’s aggressive 47 and Cole McConchie’s unbeaten 31 helped New Zealand recover strongly after a middle-order collapse.
This article provides the complete match scorecard, batting and bowling performances, fall of wickets, match summary and important statistics.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Match Scorecard at a Glance
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Stage | Super Eight, Group 2 |
| Date | 25 February 2026 |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won the toss and fielded |
| New Zealand Score | 168/7 in 20 overs |
| Sri Lanka Score | 107/8 in 20 overs |
| Result | New Zealand won by 61 runs |
| Player of the Match | Rachin Ravindra |
| Top New Zealand Scorer | Mitchell Santner – 47 |
| Top Sri Lanka Scorer | Kamindu Mendis – 31 |
| Best New Zealand Bowler | Rachin Ravindra – 4/27 |
| Best Sri Lanka Bowler | Maheesh Theekshana – 3/30 |
New Zealand Innings Scorecard
New Zealand were asked to bat first after Sri Lanka won the toss. The visitors made a difficult start but recovered impressively in the second half of their innings.
Tim Seifert scored 8 from 9 balls, while Finn Allen produced a quick 23 from just 13 deliveries. Rachin Ravindra added 32 from 22 balls, including three fours and a six.
New Zealand then experienced a significant collapse. From 75/3, they slipped to 84/6, losing four wickets for only nine runs. Sri Lanka appeared to have taken control, particularly through Maheesh Theekshana, who finished with three wickets.
However, Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie changed the momentum completely.
Santner smashed 47 from 26 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes. McConchie remained unbeaten on 31 from 23 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Their partnership allowed New Zealand to reach a competitive 168/7 from their 20 overs.
New Zealand Batting Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | 8 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Finn Allen | 23 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 176.92 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 32 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 145.45 |
| Glenn Phillips | 18 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Mark Chapman | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mitchell Santner | 47 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 180.77 |
| Cole McConchie | 31* | 23 | 3 | 2 | 134.78 |
| Matt Henry | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Ish Sodhi | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Lockie Ferguson | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 6 | ||||
| Total | 168/7 | 20 overs |
Sri Lanka Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dilshan Madushanka | 3 | 34 | 0 | 11.33 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 30 | 3 | 7.50 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 38 | 3 | 9.50 |
| Dushan Hemantha | 2 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | 3 | 16 | 0 | 5.33 |
Maheesh Theekshana was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets for 30 runs. Dushmantha Chameera also claimed three wickets, although he conceded 38 runs.
Fall of Wickets – New Zealand
| Score | Wicket | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Finn Allen | 3.1 |
| 34 | Tim Seifert | 4.2 |
| 75 | Glenn Phillips | 9.3 |
| 84 | Rachin Ravindra | 11.2 |
| 84 | Mark Chapman | 11.4 |
| 84 | Daryl Mitchell | 12.1 |
| 168 | Mitchell Santner | 19.6 |
The fall from 84/4 to 84/6 was the turning point of the New Zealand innings. Santner and McConchie then produced a powerful late-innings recovery.
Sri Lanka Innings Scorecard
Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a disastrous start when Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a duck from the first ball.
Charith Asalanka was also dismissed cheaply, leaving Sri Lanka at just 6/2. Kusal Mendis attempted to rebuild the innings but scored only 11 from 22 balls.
The Sri Lankan middle order showed some resistance through Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage. Kamindu Mendis made 31 from 23 balls, while Wellalage scored 29 from 23 deliveries.
However, Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never developed the partnership required to challenge New Zealand’s total.
Sri Lanka eventually reached 107/8 after 20 overs, falling 61 runs short of the target.
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Kusal Mendis | 11 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | 5 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | 10 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 31 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 134.78 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Dushan Hemantha | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 29 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 126.09 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 7* | 12 | 0 | 0 | 58.33 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Dilshan Madushanka | Did not bat | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 7 | ||||
| Total | 107/8 | 20 overs |
New Zealand Bowling Scorecard
New Zealand’s bowling attack was highly effective during Sri Lanka’s chase. Matt Henry made an immediate impact by dismissing Pathum Nissanka with the opening delivery.
Rachin Ravindra then became the standout bowler. His 4/27 broke Sri Lanka’s middle order and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Mitchell Santner also bowled economically, taking one wicket for 19 runs from four overs.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1.50 |
| Cole McConchie | 3 | 20 | 0 | 6.67 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 19 | 1 | 4.75 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 |
| Ish Sodhi | 2 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 4 | 27 | 4 | 6.75 |
| Glenn Phillips | 4.1 | 21 | 1 | 5.25 |
Fall of Wickets – Sri Lanka
| Score | Wicket | Over |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Pathum Nissanka | 0.1 |
| 6 | Charith Asalanka | 2.1 |
| 27 | Kusal Mendis | 8.1 |
| 29 | Pavan Rathnayake | 8.2 |
| 46 | Dasun Shanaka | 10.3 |
| 59 | Dushan Hemantha | 12.2 |
| 77 | Kamindu Mendis | 14.6 |
| 105 | Dunith Wellalage | 19.4 |
How the Match Unfolded
The match changed direction several times.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first initially looked promising. New Zealand lost Finn Allen and Tim Seifert early, and the score stood at 34/2.
Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips attempted to stabilize the innings, but Sri Lanka continued to take wickets. When New Zealand fell to 84/6, Sri Lanka appeared to have restricted their opponents to a modest total.
The final eight overs, however, completely changed the match.
Mitchell Santner attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers, while Cole McConchie provided excellent support. Their late partnership pushed New Zealand to 168/7, giving Sri Lanka a challenging target.
Sri Lanka’s chase immediately suffered when Nissanka fell first ball. Two early wickets put New Zealand in control.
Although Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage attempted to rebuild the innings, Rachin Ravindra repeatedly broke Sri Lanka’s partnerships. New Zealand eventually restricted Sri Lanka to 107/8.
Key Performers in the Match
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Rachin Ravindra | New Zealand | 32 runs and 4/27 |
| Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | 47 runs and 1/19 |
| Cole McConchie | New Zealand | 31* from 23 balls |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Sri Lanka | 3/30 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Sri Lanka | 3/38 |
| Kamindu Mendis | Sri Lanka | 31 from 23 balls |
| Dunith Wellalage | Sri Lanka | 29 from 23 balls |
Match Result and Important Statistics
New Zealand’s 61-run victory was built around their ability to recover after losing six wickets for 84 runs.
The most significant numbers from the scorecard include:
- New Zealand: 168/7 in 20 overs
- Sri Lanka: 107/8 in 20 overs
- Winning margin: 61 runs
- New Zealand run rate: 8.40
- Sri Lanka run rate: 5.35
- Mitchell Santner: 47 from 26 balls
- Cole McConchie: 31* from 23 balls
- Rachin Ravindra: 32 from 22 balls and 4/27
- Maheesh Theekshana: 3/30
- Dushmantha Chameera: 3/38
The biggest difference between the teams was their performance in the final stages of their innings. New Zealand added a substantial number of runs after being reduced to 84/6, while Sri Lanka struggled to maintain partnerships during their chase.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Recent White-Ball Meetings
The two sides have also produced competitive matches in bilateral cricket. Their 2024 white-ball series in Sri Lanka included three T20Is and three ODIs.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I, 2024 | Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets |
| 2nd T20I, 2024 | New Zealand won by 5 runs |
| 3rd T20I, 2024 | Series-deciding contest |
| 1st ODI, 2024 | Sri Lanka won by 45 runs via DLS |
| 2nd ODI, 2024 | Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets via DLS |
| 3rd ODI, 2024 | No result |
The 2024 ODI series was particularly notable for Sri Lanka’s batting performances, with Kusal Mendis playing a major role.
Why Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Scorecards Are Interesting
The Sri Lanka-New Zealand contest is interesting because the two teams often bring different strengths to the game.
Sri Lanka traditionally possess a strong spin-bowling tradition, while New Zealand have frequently relied on disciplined seam bowling, tactical flexibility and contributions from all-rounders.
In T20 cricket, the balance becomes even more important because a match can change rapidly over just a few overs. The 2026 T20 World Cup meeting was a clear example. New Zealand went from 84/6 to 168/7, while Sri Lanka lost eight wickets during their chase.
Scorecards therefore provide more than just the final result. They show where partnerships developed, when wickets fell and which players influenced the match.
Important Scorecard Terms Explained
For readers checking a cricket scorecard, several abbreviations are commonly used.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| R | Runs scored |
| B | Balls faced |
| 4s | Number of fours |
| 6s | Number of sixes |
| SR | Strike rate |
| O | Overs bowled |
| M | Maiden overs |
| W | Wickets |
| ECO | Economy rate |
| RR | Run rate |
| * | Batter remained not out |
| DLS | Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method |
Understanding these terms makes it easier to analyze a Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard without relying only on the final result.
Key Takeaways From the 2026 Scorecard
- New Zealand recovered brilliantly: The visitors were reduced to 84/6 before finishing on 168/7.
- Mitchell Santner provided the late acceleration: His 47 from 26 balls transformed New Zealand’s innings.
- Rachin Ravindra was decisive: His all-round performance of 32 runs and 4/27 made him the standout performer.
- Sri Lanka struggled at the start of the chase: Losing Pathum Nissanka from the first ball immediately put pressure on the batting order.
- Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage offered resistance: Their scores of 31 and 29 respectively prevented an even heavier defeat.
- New Zealand’s bowling remained controlled: Matt Henry’s opening spell and Ravindra’s middle-overs wickets kept Sri Lanka well behind the required run rate.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team match scorecard from the 2026 T20 World Cup shows how quickly a T20 match can change. New Zealand appeared vulnerable at 84/6, but Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie produced a powerful recovery to take the team to 168/7.
Sri Lanka’s chase never reached the required momentum. Early wickets created pressure, and Rachin Ravindra’s four-wicket spell prevented the home side from building a match-winning partnership.
The final figures tell the story clearly: New Zealand 168/7 defeated Sri Lanka 107/8 by 61 runs. For fans studying the detailed scorecard, the partnership between Santner and McConchie and Ravindra’s all-round contribution were among the most important factors behind New Zealand’s victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the result of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 61 runs in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
2. What was New Zealand’s score against Sri Lanka?
New Zealand scored 168/7 in 20 overs. Mitchell Santner top-scored with 47 runs, while Cole McConchie remained unbeaten on 31.
3. What was Sri Lanka’s score against New Zealand?
Sri Lanka finished on 107/8 in 20 overs. Kamindu Mendis was their highest scorer with 31 runs, followed by Dunith Wellalage with 29.
4. Who was the Player of the Match in Sri Lanka vs New Zealand?
Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Match after scoring 32 runs and taking four wickets for 27 runs.
5. Who took the most wickets in the match?
Rachin Ravindra took the most wickets, finishing with 4/27 for New Zealand. Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera each took three wickets.
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