ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Group 2, Southampton
New Zealand 150-6 (20 overs): becomes 45(30); Al-Dilhari 2-35
Sri Lanka 153-5 (19.4 overs): De Silva 54* (37); Patel 2-23
Sri Lanka won by five wickets
New Zealand’s hopes of defending their Women’s T20 World Cup title are on the brink after a shock five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Southampton.
Both teams needed a win after losing their opening matches, and it was Sri Lanka who held their nerve as they reached their target of 151 with two balls to spare.
It cost them New Zealand’s participation again. After a series fall to the West Indies in their opening defeat, they wasted three more chances including Bri Eling’s crucial drop of match-winner Neelakshi D’Silva on one over.
Fast bowler Illing inexplicably missed a simple catch at good short leg off the bowling of Millie Kerr and De Silva punished her for it, finishing unbeaten on 54 off 37 balls.
After Sri Lanka’s top order stumbled to 55-4, de Silva added a crucial partnership of 50 with Kavisha Dilhari before the latter was run out with 46 off 30 balls still needed.
Given Sri Lanka’s lack of batting depth, the equation made New Zealand favorites but De Silva found valuable support in Koshani Notyanjana, who made 24 to get over the line.
The White Ferns were woeful in the field and too cautious with the bat, making 38-1 from the Powerplay before captain Kerr and Sophie Devine pulled them to 150-6 with 45 each.
After successive defeats in the final, they now face a group stage exit despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites to join England in the top two in the group, while Sri Lanka kept themselves in contention after their heavy opening defeat to the hosts.
