Herath turned the virtual knock-out match on its head by grabbing five wickets for just three runs in a sensational spell while also being instrumental in a run-out which opened the floodgates as Sri Lanka defended a small total of 119 all out in their last Group 1 match.
New Zealand were shot out for just 60 in 15.3 overs, the third lowest total in Twenty20 International history. Herath’s 5/3 was the third best ever figures by a bowler in Twenty20 Internationals behind team-mate Ajantha Mendis’ twin efforts of 6/8 and 6/16.
With today’s result at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Sri Lanka finished on top of Group 1 on net run rate though they ended their Super 10 engagements on same six points with South Africa.
Sri Lanka will now take on Group 2 runners-up team, which will be decided after Tuesday’s match between West Indies and Pakistan, on April 3 at Mirpur. Group 2 winners India will take on Group 1 runners-up South Africa on April 4, also at Mirpur.
New Zealand suffered a jolt even before their run chase as their key player Corey Anderson was taken to hospital after dislocating his finger while attempting a catch during Sri Lanka innings.
Anderson did not come out to bat. Chasing a small total of 120, New Zealand seemed to be on course for a semifinal spot as they reached 18 for no loss at the end of second over. But the drama unfolded in the very first ball of the third over bowled by Herath as New Zealand opener Martin Guptill ran for a single without response from his partner Kane Williamson. Herath was lightning quick to throw the ball to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara who whipped off the bail in a flash.
Five balls later, Brendon McCullum was done in by a beauty of a delivery from Herath as it deceived the batsman by its flight. McCullum came out of his crease to smash the ball only to be beaten and the rest left to Sangakkara as Sri Lanka bounced back into the match.
Herath immediately came back for his second over and dismissed Ross Taylor and Jimmy Neesham for ducks in the last two deliveries of the sixth over. Taylor was adjudged LBW while Neesham’s leg-stump was disturbed after he played across to a tossed-up delivery bowled from round the wicket which spun and went through the gap between pad and bat. New Zealand, who also suffered a jolt after their key player Corey Anderson could not turn up for batting as he was hospitalised after dislocated his finger were reduced to 23 for four then as Herath bowled two wicket-maiden overs.
Herath continued his exploits and though he missed his hat-trict chance, he reduced New Zealand in tatters by dismissing Luke Ranchi (2) in his third over and overall eight to end his first spell of three overs with figures of four wickets for two runs. Herath came back in the 16th over to claim the wicket of Trent Boult (3) to end the New Zealand innings. Earlier, Trent Boult (3/20) and Jimmy Neesham (3/22) claimed three wickets each to wreck Sri Lanka as New Zealand shot them out for just 119 in their must-win match.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka 119 (Boult 3-20) beat New Zealand 60 (Williamson 42, Herath 5-3) by 59 runs.
New Zealand were shot out for just 60 in 15.3 overs, the third lowest total in Twenty20 International history. Herath’s 5/3 was the third best ever figures by a bowler in Twenty20 Internationals behind team-mate Ajantha Mendis’ twin efforts of 6/8 and 6/16.
With today’s result at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Sri Lanka finished on top of Group 1 on net run rate though they ended their Super 10 engagements on same six points with South Africa.
Sri Lanka will now take on Group 2 runners-up team, which will be decided after Tuesday’s match between West Indies and Pakistan, on April 3 at Mirpur. Group 2 winners India will take on Group 1 runners-up South Africa on April 4, also at Mirpur.
New Zealand suffered a jolt even before their run chase as their key player Corey Anderson was taken to hospital after dislocating his finger while attempting a catch during Sri Lanka innings.
Anderson did not come out to bat. Chasing a small total of 120, New Zealand seemed to be on course for a semifinal spot as they reached 18 for no loss at the end of second over. But the drama unfolded in the very first ball of the third over bowled by Herath as New Zealand opener Martin Guptill ran for a single without response from his partner Kane Williamson. Herath was lightning quick to throw the ball to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara who whipped off the bail in a flash.
Five balls later, Brendon McCullum was done in by a beauty of a delivery from Herath as it deceived the batsman by its flight. McCullum came out of his crease to smash the ball only to be beaten and the rest left to Sangakkara as Sri Lanka bounced back into the match.
Herath immediately came back for his second over and dismissed Ross Taylor and Jimmy Neesham for ducks in the last two deliveries of the sixth over. Taylor was adjudged LBW while Neesham’s leg-stump was disturbed after he played across to a tossed-up delivery bowled from round the wicket which spun and went through the gap between pad and bat. New Zealand, who also suffered a jolt after their key player Corey Anderson could not turn up for batting as he was hospitalised after dislocated his finger were reduced to 23 for four then as Herath bowled two wicket-maiden overs.
Herath continued his exploits and though he missed his hat-trict chance, he reduced New Zealand in tatters by dismissing Luke Ranchi (2) in his third over and overall eight to end his first spell of three overs with figures of four wickets for two runs. Herath came back in the 16th over to claim the wicket of Trent Boult (3) to end the New Zealand innings. Earlier, Trent Boult (3/20) and Jimmy Neesham (3/22) claimed three wickets each to wreck Sri Lanka as New Zealand shot them out for just 119 in their must-win match.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka 119 (Boult 3-20) beat New Zealand 60 (Williamson 42, Herath 5-3) by 59 runs.