NZ vs SL Live: Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra Shine as NZ Posts 44/2 in Powerplay

New Zealand’s innings saw Finn Allen leading the charge with 23 runs off just 13 balls, including three boundaries and a six, at a strike rate of 176.92. His attacking approach helped the team accelerate in the early overs in the NZ vs SL clash.

Tim Seifert †, though dismissed cheaply for 8, provided a brief start before falling to Dushmantha Chameera. Rachin Ravindra showed calmness under pressure, remaining unbeaten on 10 from 8 deliveries at a strike rate of 125.00 alongside Glenn Phillips, who was not out on 3 from 6 balls.

The fall of wickets came in quick succession. Allen fell at 30 in 3.1 overs, and Seifert followed at 34 in 4.2 overs. Despite these early losses, New Zealand’s middle orderincluding Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, and captain Mitchell Santner, remains yet to bat, offering a strong platform for acceleration later in the innings.

Bowling Efforts by Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s bowlers were disciplined in the powerplay. Maheesh Theekshana struck first, dismissing Finn Allen in the third over, while Dushmantha Chameera accounted for Seifert’s wicket in the fourth over. Dilshan Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage bowled tight lines, conceding 15 runs each in their respective overs.

Theekshana’s 2-over spell cost just 8 runs, proving effective in slowing down New Zealand’s scoring rate, while Chameera’s over went for 6 runs with one crucial wicket.

At drinks, New Zealand had posted 44/2 in 6 overs, with Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips at the crease. The early wickets slightly hindered momentum, but the team remains well-placed to capitalize on their strong middle-order options.

New Zealand’s powerplay performance showed a mix of aggression and caution, with Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra emerging as key contributors to the early platform in this T20 World Cup 2026 clash.