In a fantastic all-around performance, Rachin Ravindra scored a career-high 4/27 to lead New Zealand to a convincing 61-run victory in their Super Eights match in Colombo on Wednesday, eliminating co-hosts Sri Lanka from the T20 World Cup. After Sri Lanka chose to bowl, Cole McConchie's calm, undefeated 31 off 23 balls (3x4, 2x6) and captain Mitchell Santner's 26-ball 47 (2x4, 4x6) cemented a match-defining 84-run seventh wicket stand off 47 balls to propel New Zealand to 168/7.

Sri Lanka, who had fallen for 95 against England in their Super Eights opener, had yet another batting collapse after allowing the Kiwis to score 70 runs in the final four overs.
After quick Matt Henry stunned the islanders in the powerplay with an incredible 2-1-3-2 bowling effort, Ravindra, who also struck 32 with the bat, led the spin charge as Sri Lanka, chasing 169, could only manage 107/8.
In addition to securing two vital points for New Zealand, the decisive victory margin put them squarely on the verge of qualifying for the semifinals. To maintain their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals, Pakistan will now need to defeat Sri Lanka handily in their final match.

Pakistan will play the already-defeated Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday, while New Zealand will play England in their final Super Eights match here on Friday.
Through Henry, New Zealand stifled Sri Lanka in the powerplay while defending 168. With a 137kph delivery that pitched on a length outside off, slashed back in, and slammed into the stumps, the bowler dismissed the in-form Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck with the first ball of the opening over.
Henry dismissed Charith Asalanka (5) in the opening ball of his subsequent over. This time, he reduced the speed and produced a mistimed shot that led to a straightforward catch.

With a flurry of dot balls, Sri Lanka looked heartbroken as they crawled to 20 for two in the powerplay.
After gaining control, Ravindra dismissed Kusal Mendis in his first over by spinning the ball away and bringing his length back as the batter came out, letting the wicketkeeper to finish a crisp stumping.
After charging down the track two balls later, Pavan Rathnayake was stumped after being beaten in flight once more.
In his subsequent over, the lef-tarm spinner struck once more, tricking captain Dasun Shanaka in the air to induce a misguided stroke before dismissing Dushan Hemantha with another ball that gripped and turned.

Santner quietly fulfilled his quota, coming back with 1/19, taking the top-scoring player from Sri Lanka, Kamindu Mendis (31), and all but guaranteeing Sri Lanka's demise.
Invited to bat, New Zealand lost four wickets for nine runs between 9.3 and 12.1 overs as pacer Dushmantha Chameera (3/38) and cunning offspinner Maheesh Theekshana (3/30) completely changed the course of the match in the middle overs.
However, McConchie took Chameera on in the 17th over, hitting him for two sixes and a four in an over of 18 runs.
After facing Theekshana, Sri Lanka's top bowler, Santner seized control of the back end by hitting two sixes and a four in the 18th over, which resulted in 21 runs.The Sri Lankans, who had generally bowled smartly and given their best in the field, faltered at the end with poor lines and a visible fall in intensity as the Kiwis amassed 70 runs in the last four overs thanks to the duo's late attack.
However, around the halfway point, it appeared to be a different script.
Wise off-spinner Theekshana and pacer Chameera combined for six wickets to stifle New Zealand, who sped out of the blocks to reach 73/2 after nine overs on a new Khettarama pitch that looked dry.
Ravindra looked fluid in his 32 off 22 balls (3x4, 1x6), while Finn Allen blasted 23 off 13 balls (3x4, 1x6), attacking Dilshan Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage.Theekshana then expertly engaged the brakes. He started by using his carrom ball to remove Allen inside the powerplay, changing up his pace and angle.
Later, he used a teasingly flighted delivery that caused a mistimed slice to dismiss the well-set Ravindra.
He bowled Mark Chapman for a two-ball duck in three balls with a beautifully disguised incorrect one that whirled past the left-hander's defense.
He was brilliantly matched by Chameera, who slammed the deck hard at almost 140 kph to get rid of Tim Seifert (8) and Glenn Phillips (18), while Wellalage got rid of Daryl Mitchell (3).