Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have suffered a major setback after New Zealand secured a commanding 61-run victory over Sri Lanka in a crucial Super 8 encounter. The result not only knocked Sri Lanka out of the tournament but also complicated Pakistan’s qualification scenario, leaving them dependent on other outcomes to stay in contention.
New Zealand’s innings was revived by a remarkable 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie, which proved to be the turning point of the match. Their record stand lifted the Kiwis to a competitive total and shifted momentum firmly in their favor. Sri Lanka struggled in response and failed to mount a serious challenge, ultimately falling well short of the target. With this result, New Zealand strengthened their position in the Super 8 stage, while Pakistan now faces a challenging path ahead to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
