NZ vs SL Match 41 Results

2:44 PM IST Right then, that is it from this game and only four more games remain in the group stage of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. New Zealand, with this big win, have left Pakistan and Afghanistan virtually knocked out of the competition and all four semifinal slots are all but locked in. Up next is a clash between two wounded teams but one of them is already through to the semifinals. It will be South Africa taking on Afghanistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. That game will begin at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT) but as usual, our build-up will begin a lot sooner. Do join us then. Till then, take care and goodbye!

2:44 PM IST New Zealand's skipper, Kane Williamson says that it was a really good performance. States that they got early wickets and spin during the middle phase was challenging as well. Mentions that the guys were outstanding in the first half and came out with real intent in the second half. Shares that they expected the wicket in the Pakistan game again to be similar but it was not. Feels that it is hard to read the weather and surface. Reckons that Sri Lanka are a really dangerous side and it can be difficult to defend on this ground. Tells that there are still a couple of teams who can be on the same points and it is now not in their control. Shares that they have not planned yet what they are going to do in the next couple of days. On the potential semi-final against India, he says that these things do not happen often, and feels that it will be great to be involved in the semi-final.

2:38 PM IST Kusal Mendis, the captain of Sri Lanka Kusal says that in the first 10 overs, they lost four wickets and struggled in the middle overs but did fight back with the tail and reckons 300 would have been a good score on this wicket. Adds that Dilshan Madushanka bowled really well but since it was a small total, it was difficult for him. Adds that he got the captaincy after the first two games and enjoyed the captaincy but is a bit disappointed with his own performance. Says that he is very happy to see the young players putting their hands up and reckons that they will do well in the future.

2:31 PM IST Trent Boult is the Player of the Match for his early blitz with the ball. He says that it was nice to get a bit of success at the top. Adds that the bigger pleasure is to get the result. Mentions that it is a challenging format and these are challenging conditions to bowl in. Further adds that he used his experience which helped. Shares that conditions have changed a lot throughout the competition and hopes to push for a big finish. Mentions that everyone wants a piece of the host nation, India, who have been playing so well and feels that it will be an exciting game.

2:30 PM IST The Presentation ceremony...

2:30 PM IST Earlier in the game, Kane Williamson had no hesitation in fielding first on a pitch that looked like a batting paradise but he was a bit weary of the inclement weather and didn't want to take any risks. This turned out to be a sensational decision as the duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult picked up early wickets with the latter picking up three inside the first Powerplay itself. With their backs on the ropes, Kusal Perera led the charge for Sri Lanka with a quickfire fifty but once he got out, they were highly under the pump. Mitchell Santner showed excellent control yet again in the middle phase and picked up a couple of wickets as well before Maheesh Theekshana put up a stern resistance. New Zealand did eventually manage to bundle out Sri Lanka for just 171 runs and when it came to the chase, they lost 5 wickets but ensured that the job was done and done inside 25 overs.