Sri Lanka shock New Zealand in Women’s T20 World Cup thriller

Colombo, June 16 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka Women secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in Match 7 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, successfully chasing down a target of 151 with two balls to spare at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

After winning the toss, New Zealand elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 150 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Amelia Kerr and experienced all-rounder Sophie Devine led the scoring with 45 runs apiece, helping the White Ferns recover from a steady start. Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Kavisha Dilhari producing the standout performance by claiming two wickets for 35 runs.

In response, Sri Lanka made a confident start to their chase, led by captain Chamari Athapaththu, who scored a quick 27 off 19 deliveries. However, New Zealand fought back through timely wickets, creating a tense contest during the middle overs. Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka remained on course thanks to a composed innings from Nilakshi de Silva.

De Silva anchored the chase with a match-winning 54 off 37 balls, combining aggression with smart shot selection to keep Sri Lanka within reach of the target. Her innings proved decisive as the Sri Lankan batters held their nerve in the closing stages of the match.

Sri Lanka eventually reached 153 for 5 in 19.4 overs, sealing their first victory of the tournament and earning two valuable points in Group 2. The win provides a significant boost to their campaign following an opening defeat to England.

For New Zealand, the result marks a second consecutive loss in the competition, placing added pressure on the team ahead of its remaining group-stage fixtures. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will look to build on the momentum as the tournament progresses.