New Zealand has propelled Pakistan perilously close to the precipice of World Cup elimination following their triumph over Sri Lanka.
However, it’s premature to categorically declare Pakistan’s exit from the World Cup. Babar Azam’s contingent teeters on the brink of an untimely departure from the ICC World Cup 2023, courtesy of Kane Williamson’s New Zealand, who decimated Sri Lanka in the conclusive round-robin stage of the ICC event in India on Thursday. Orchestrating a resounding victory against the 1996 champions, pace maestro Trent Boult showcased a bowling masterclass, reducing Sri Lanka to a mere 171 runs in this pivotal World Cup showdown.
The New Zealand pace bowler amassed figures of 3-37, with speed merchant Lockie Ferguson, and spinners Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra securing two wickets each, transforming matchday 41 into a low-scoring spectacle. Apart from opener Kusal Perera, no Sri Lankan batter breached the 50-run threshold as they crumbled to a subpar total at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Certifying their qualification with ease before concluding the round-robin phase, New Zealand chased down the target in 28.5 overs, relegating an already eliminated Sri Lanka further down the World Cup standings.