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After losing four consecutive games, New Zealand returned to winning ways with a dominant five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. The 2019 finalists have now nearly sealed qualification to the semifinals as Pakistan and Afghanistan are virtually knocked out of the race with this one-sided triumph.
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After winning the toss, New Zealand started incredibly well with Tim Southee dismissing opener Pathum Nissanka at the end of the second over. Supporting Southee, Boult tore through the Lankan top order as he picked up three wickets in the powerplay. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Perera produced some fireworks from one end and scored the fastest half-century of this World Cup.
But after Perera's dismissal, the remaining Sri Lankan batting crumbled against the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santer barring the tail. The Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka, batted for a long time and carried the first innings total to 171.
Chasing this unchallenging total, the opening pair of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra gave New Zealand the perfect start. But despite regular fall of wickets, crucial knocks by Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips carried the Blackcaps to a comfortable five-wicket win.
