Women's T20 WC 2026: SL hand NZ their second defeat
What's the story
Sri Lanka handed defending champions New Zealand their second successive defeat in the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday. The Lankans successfully chased down 151 in what was a final-over finish at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. Nilakshika Silva anchored the chase with a half-century. Earlier, a concerted bowling effort helped SL restrict the White Ferns to 150/6. Here are the key stats.
Chase
How SL's chase panned out
SL openers Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu started well, adding 45 (35). However, Bree Illing and Nensi Patel struck in successive overs to remove the two. While Hasini Perera was run out early, Harshitha Samarawickrama fell to Patel, leaving SL at 55/4. Silva and Kavisha Dilhari took SL past 100 thereafter. Although Dilhari was run out, Silva (54*) and Kaushani Nuthyangana (24*) propelled SL to a close victory.
Knock
Silva guides NZ to victory
Silva's 37-ball 54* knock was studded with 5 fours and a six. She found boundaries at crucial junctures during her 45-plus knocks with Dilhari and Nuthyangana. The 30-year-old recorded her maiden half-century in the Women's T20 World Cup. She now has 303 runs from 19 matches at 25.25 in the tournament. Her strike rate is just over 101.
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Second WT20I fifty
According to ESPNcricinfo, Silva raced to her second half-century in WT20Is. From 116 games, she owns 1,310 runs at an average of 18.71. Her highest score in the format is 63* (versus Bangladesh).
Innings
NZ score 150/6
Earlier, NZ lost Isabella Gaze in the first over after electing to bat. Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer then added 49 runs to steady the ship. While Nimasha Meepage removed Plimmer in the ninth over, Kerr and Sophie Devine propelled NZ toward 100. However, two quick wickets, including that of Kerr (45), brought NZ down to 109/4. Devine (45) and Maddy Green (18*) eventually took NZ to 150/6.
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What about the bowlers?
For SL, off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of their bowlers, taking 2/35 in four overs. Nensi Patel scalped two wickets for the White Ferns, conceding 23 runs from her four overs.
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NZ on the brink of elimination
Defending champions NZ, having suffered two successive defeats, are now on the brink of a group-stage exit in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup. Being winless, the White Ferns sit fifth in the six-team Group B (NRR: -0.200).