Chameera's Pace Sends Phillips Packing

• Dushmantha Chameera bowled Phillips out with a 144kph ball, rattling stumps.
• New Zealand's openers were quickly dismissed, then collapsed to 84/6 amid spin choke.
• Santner & McConchie’s 84-run partnership lifted NZ’s total to 168.

The R. Premadasa Stadium just witnessed a moment of pure fast-bowling artistry! If you wanted to see a bowler "respond in style," Dushmantha Chameera just gave

a masterclass.

With the pressure building, Chameera turned up the heat, steaming in to deliver a 144kph absolute snorter. It wasn't just raw pace, though-it was the trickery of the wobble seam that did the damage. The ball slanted in dangerously from around off-stump, cutting back late with wicked movement.

Glenn Phillips looked to release the pressure with a massive heave across the line, but he was completely outclassed. His feet were stuck to the crease like they were glued to the turf, leaving him a sitting duck. The ball zipped past his inside edge before he could even complete the swing, crashing spectacularly into the top of the leg peg!

The woodwork was rattled, the bail went flying, and the Sri Lankan fans went into a frenzy. Phillips, who had labored to 18 off 18 balls, could only stare back at his broken stumps in disbelief. He was done for pace, done for movement, and ultimately, done by a piece of bowling perfection.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐎𝐔𝐓. ⚡

Dushmantha Chameera hits top gear & blows past Phillips, #SL slam the brakes on the Kiwis! 🛑

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | SUPER 8, #SLvNZ ➡️ LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/g4wqt4U8vL pic.twitter.com/lLn3pcq5rZ

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 25, 2026

New Zealand turn things Around

The match began with New Zealand looking to dominate. Openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert started like a house on fire, racing to 30 runs in just three overs. However, Sri Lanka's spin king, Maheesh Theekshana, turned the tide quickly. He removed both openers in quick succession, leaving New Zealand at 44/2 by the end of the Powerplay.

The middle overs were a nightmare for the Kiwis. Sri Lanka's spinners applied a "spin choke," and a sudden collapse saw New Zealand slip from a decent 75/2 to a disastrous 84/6. They lost four wickets for just nine runs, with Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage tearing through the batting order.

Just when it looked like New Zealand would be bowled out for a low score, captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie produced a miracle. The pair put on a record-breaking 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Santner was the hero, smashing 47 off 26 balls, including four massive sixes. McConchie supported him brilliantly with an unbeaten 31. Together, they plundered 70 runs in the final four overs to take the total to 168.