CWC 2023, New Zealand VS Sri Lanka, Played at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangaluru on 9th November, 2023
Sri Lanka 171 All Out in 46.4 Overs (Kushal Perera 51, Maheesh Theekshana 39*, Dhananjaya di Silva 19, Dilshan Madhushanka 19, Angelo Mathews16, Trent Boult 3/37, Mitchell Santner 2/22, Rachin Ravindra 2/22)
New Zealand 172/5 in 23.2 Overs (Devon Conway 45, Rachin Ravindra 42, Glen Philips 19*, Angelo Mathews 2/23) 
New Zealand won the match by 5 wickets with 154 balls to spare
Player of the match: Trent Boult 

New Zealand playing to its full potential winning the crucial last of the group stage against Sri Lanka all but sealed its berth for semi-finals of CWC 2023. Their match had a few equations to solve. If Sri Lanka that could have opened avenues for Pakistan or Afghanistan for gate crashing into top four.

Sri Lanka could have qualified for their champions trophy finished within 8 in the points table. But a clinical black cap all round performance earning 5 wickets win all but assured that it finished 4th in the points table. Only a miracle can deprive them. Miracle happens once in blue moon. We know that miracle has happened in Australia -Afghanistan match already.

There was rain threat as well yesterday. If rain abandoned the match that could go against black caps. After playing some wonderful cricket throughout the tournament Kiwis did not deserve that. Willaimson winning the toss elected to field. The wicket had some bounce and lateral movement. Black caps had horses for the courses in such situation. Trent Boult (3/37), Lockie Ferguson (2/35)  and Tim Southee (1/52) floored Sri Lanka within the first power play . Sri Lanka by 10th over had back to the wall reeling at 5/70. The wicket also had grip and turn. Left arm spinners Mitchell Santner (2/ 22) and Rachin Ravindra (2/22) exploiting the condition restricted Lankans to 171 all out. It could be still worse had not Maheesh Theekshana (39*) and Dilshan Madhushana (19) added precious 43 rans in the 10th wicket partnership. Earlier at the top flamboyant Kushal Perera trying to counterattack raced to 51 in 28 balls striking 9 fours and 2 sixes.
A target of 172 was very soft for the strong Kiwi batting line up. But the threat was the possibility of thunderstorm. Fortunately, that stayed away. Two emerging kiwi greats Devon Conway (45) and Rachin Ravindra (42) set up the ran chase knitting an opening partnership of 86 by the 13th over. Sri Lanka struck back removing both the openers and prolific Kane Williamson. Black Caps were also in a hurry. Their plan was shutting out completely the doors for Pakistan and Afghanistan. They could execute the plan racing across the target in only 23.2 Overs.

It is very likely that  Black Caps will appear against India for the first semi final at Mumbai on 15th November. Sri Lanka returns home empty handed. They cannot play in the Champions trophy.

BDST: 0736 HRS, NOV 10, 2023
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