NZ increase pressure on India with SL win

New Zealand kept themselves in the semifinals race alongside India with a dominating eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup. New Zealand, who will have the advantage of playing their last league game after India, limited a struggling Sri Lanka to 115/5 in 20 overs before coasting to the target in 17.3 overs. It was another ordinary performance from Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.

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New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer anchored the run chase with 53 off 44 balls. Plimmer perished in the 15th over trying to push the scoring rate with the net run rate factor in mind. Skipper Sophie Devine (13 not out off 8) and Amelia Kerr (34 not out off 31) got the job done eventually with the former ending the contest with a six.

For Sri Lanka, skipper Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with a fine 35 off 41 balls. New Zealand spinners Kerr and Leigh Kasperek kept the Sri Lankans in check with two wickets each.

“We obviously see how results play out tomorrow and by the Pakistan game we will know exactly what we need. We will celebrate tonight’s win but then go back to the drawing board for our last match,” Devine said.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 115/5 in 20 overs (Athapaththu 35; Kerr 2/13); New Zealand: 118/2 in 17.3 overs (Plimmer 53, Kerr 34*).