Sri Lanka secured a memorable win against New Zealand by 63-run difference on Monday. Batting first, the Islanders made 305 in the first innings while New Zealand made a 35-run lead by the end of their first innings
They posted 309 runs in their second innings, with Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews smashing fifties.
New Zealand was set to chase a target of 274 runs to take a series lead but was struggling at 96-6, Where Rachin Ravindra scored 92 runs, but the visitors failed to chase the target as they were all out for 211 runs and lost the match by 63 runs. Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul helped the side to win the match at Galle.
With this win, Sri Lanka moved forward No.3 position in the WTC championship 2023-25 points table. The inaugural edition winners have 42.86 PCT while Sri Lanka has 50.00 PCT%.
Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul scripts a memorable Sri Lanka win over New Zealand 👏
🇱🇰 go up 1-0 in the series 🔥#WTC25 | #SLvNZ 📝: https://t.co/PHqmvlAFRP pic.twitter.com/xGbPuc7B7l
— ICC (@ICC) September 23, 2024
Meanwhile, India holds the top position while Australia rests in the second position of the WTC table. India hammered Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first test of the ongoing two-match series on Sunday in Chennai and has 71.67 PCT%.
According to WTC rules, the top two teams of the WTC points table will be playing in the finals next year which is set to take place at Lord’s.
India has been the finalist of the 2021 and 2023 editions of the WTC but ended up runners in both editions.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh came to India after securing a 2-0 win against Pakistan at Rawalpindi. and secured sixth place with 29.29%.
After the two-match test series, India will play a three-match test series against New Zealand next month. India will travel to play their final five-match test matches against Australia in the Border Gavaskar trophy.
The second test of Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be played between September 26 and 30 at Galle International Stadium.
