New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka: Santner-McConchie Stand Powers 61-Run Super Eights Win in Colombo
In the 46th Match of the Super Eights, Group 2 (N) at Colombo (RPS) on February 25, 2026, new zealand vs sri lanka produced a decisive result as New Zealand secured a 61-run victory. The match swung on a late New Zealand recovery and a potent bowling display that left Sri Lanka 107-8 while chasing 169.
New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka: Super Eights snapshot
New Zealand finished their innings at 168-7, powered by Mitchell Santner's 47 off 26 and Cole McConchie's 31 off 23. Earlier in their innings New Zealand had a sharp collapse, losing three wickets for no runs and slipping to 84-6 before the late partnership rebuilt momentum. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first in Colombo.
Bowling figures and turning points
Ravindra produced a match-impacting spell of 4-27 as Sri Lanka slumped to 107-8 while chasing 169. Theekshana and Chameera each claimed three wickets, further undermining Sri Lanka's chase. The late damage by Ravindra and the earlier breakthroughs by Theekshana and Chameera were decisive in preventing a recovery from Sri Lanka.
How the chase unfolded
Sri Lanka began their chase with early promise but were unable to sustain momentum after the key Santner–McConchie partnership set a challenging target. The scoreboard pressure and successive wickets left Sri Lanka eight down well short of the 169-run mark, culminating in a 61-run loss in the Super Eights fixture.
Captains' reactions and reflections
New Zealand captain Mitch Santner reflected on the match flow, noting there was a helpful period for his team with the track and the ball and acknowledging the earlier collapse when New Zealand lost three wickets on 84. Santner said he and Cole McConchie targeted 140 to set up the final overs and that reaching about 160 felt reasonable. He admitted dissatisfaction with a past four off 10 score but said that when a batter can give themselves time they can cash in, calling the start of the innings tough and saying it was nice to reach 160.
Santner also discussed how watching the first innings informed his team’s bowling plan, describing the pitch as seeming like a pretty wicket at the toss and observing that bowling more had increased turn; he added that seam bowling had been effective. Looking ahead to England, Santner called them outstanding, warned of a quick turnaround for New Zealand, and suggested that similar conditions could make the next match a slog-fest.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said it was embarrassing to disappoint the home crowd, who had been very supportive. He noted Sri Lanka started well but that the partnership between Santner and McConchie took the game away. Shanaka stated the decision to bat was collective and that the team did not expect the pitch to turn as much as it did. He said Sri Lanka had aimed to restrict New Zealand to 130 but conceded the visitors played well and deserved credit. With one more game to go, Shanaka said his side needed to finish on a high and hoped to produce their best performance.
Match context, highlights and what’s next
The game was billed for live coverage and included cricket score updates, radio and video highlights as part of the Super Eights schedule. A match report by Sam Drury relives New Zealand's stunning 61-run victory over Sri Lanka and notes that while the contest lacked some of the typical Super 8s drama, the coverage team still enjoyed guiding fans through the action.
Viewers and followers were invited to return for the next day’s packed schedule, which lists West Indies taking on South Africa at 09: 30 GMT and India facing Zimbabwe at 13: 30 GMT. Meanwhile, questions linger in the build-up to future fixtures, including the posed query: What should England do about Jos Buttler?
Powerplay perspective: New Zealand's charge cut short
The match narrative included the sense that New Zealand's charge was at times under threat before being rescued by that mid-to-late innings stand, a theme captured in Powerplay highlights that emphasize the swing between collapse and consolidation. Overall, the Super Eights encounter in Colombo ended with New Zealand consolidating their position efficient batting late and incisive bowling, delivering a 61-run win that leaves Sri Lanka reflecting on missed opportunity.
