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New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets with 160 balls remaining. The runners-up from 2015 and 2019 have all but guaranteed their place in the semifinals, where they will most likely play India at the Wankhede Stadium. Here is a recap of the second innings.
New Zealand gets off to a good start
With only 172 runs to pursue, New Zealand didn’t appear to be planning to take their time. From the first over, it was clear that the purpose was good. In the opening over, Devon Conway hit a four off the bowling of Dilshan Madushankha. In the next over, Rachin Ravindra hit Maheesh Theekshana for a four. In the third over, Madushanka was denied a review after contesting a caught-behind call against Conway. Madushanka let up 14 runs in the fifth over as Conway hit three fours off the youthful pacer.
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Ravindra hit Dhananjaya de Silva for a six after bringing him into the attack in the sixth over. Conway hit two consecutive fours in the seventh over, continuing to torment Madushanka. In the eighth over, Ravindra hit a six and a four off De Silva. As New Zealand reached 73 runs in the powerplay, Theekshana bowled the final over and was hammered for two fours.
New Zealand built on their start despite losing 2 quick wickets
In the eleventh over, Ravindra hit Dushmantha Chameera for a six who was bowling his second over. In the next over, the 23-year-old batsman hit a four off Theekshana’s bowling. After 13 overs, Chameera got Conway out of the game. Conway smacked nine fours and scored 45 runs in 42 balls. In the next over, Theekshana removed Ravindra, who struck three fours and sixes while scoring 42 runs in 34 balls.
On the first ball of his knock, Daryl Mitchell hit a four. In the fifteenth over, the batter from New Zealand struck a six and a four. In the sixteenth over, Mitchell struck another four. In the 17th over, Angelo Mathews entered the attack and was hit for a four by Kane Williamson. In the 18th over, Mitchell struck Theekshana for a six as New Zealand attempted to reach the mark quickly. In the subsequent over, Mathews was hit for a four, but the next delivery saw Williamson out of the game.
In the twentieth over, Madushanka returned to the attack and was greeted by a four from Mark Chapman. In the same over, Mitchell also blasted him for a four. Sri Lanka was gifted a wicket as a mix-up between Mitchell and Chapman resulted in Chapman getting run out. Glenn Phillips just like Mitchell struck a four on the first ball he faced.