Fans have lavished praise on New Zealand for making a stunning comeback after batting collapse against Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup 2026 match.
SL vs NZ: Mitchell Santner, Cole McConchie Star As New Zealand Stage Stunning Comeback vs Sri Lanka In T20 World Cup 2026; Fans Erupt. (Credits: ICC X)
Fans have lauded New Zealand for showing incredible character in their critical Super 8 clash of T20 World Cup 2026 against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Kiwis have put on a strong total of 168/7 as they hope to punch their ticket to the semi-finals, joining England in the race.
It was Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, who had won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in Colombo. The hosts were on top at the halfway stage of the contest, reducing New Zealand to 84/6 in the 13th over. The Black Caps were predictably starring down the barrel. However, captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie staged a stunning resurgence for their side by threading a brisk 84-run stand off only 47 deliveries, capitalising on some sloppy fielding and wayward bowling from the 2014 champions. The final ball of the innings is when the partnership ended when Dushmantha Chameera dismissed Santner for 47, thanks to an outstanding catch from Charith Asalanka.ย
The last four overs notably yielded 70 runs, headlined by 21 runs off Maheesh Theekshana's last.
A fan wrote:
"70 runs in the last four overs is not 'finishing'. It's absolute carnage."
70 runs in the last 4 overs isn't finishing, it is absolute carnage. New Zealand went from "Fighting for survival" to "Setting a target" in just 24 balls. ๐๐๐
โ Rao Amit ๐ฎ๐ณ (@RoyalRao47) February 25, 2026
New Zealand batters should such great character in last 6 overs, scoring almost 70 tuns in last 4 overs!!! Great comeback, maybe a match winning comeback!! #ICCT20WorldCup #nzvsl
โ Mahadev (@imnindian_) February 25, 2026
๐จ Mitchell Santner is hands down one of the best captains in world cricket right now.
โ A N U J (@Hello_anuj) February 25, 2026
Whenever New Zealand are in trouble, he walks in and delivers classy rescue knocks, Not flashy, Not loud, Just effective.
Once again he led the side and smashed 70 runs in last 4 overs againstโฆ pic.twitter.com/eSApD6n2nk
Death over fireworks!
New Zealand- 98/6 after 16 overs.
โ King in the North (@cricketwithsam) February 25, 2026
17th over - 18 runs.
18th over - 21 runs.
19th over - 19 runs.
20th over - 12 runs.
70 runs in last 4 overs on this tough pitch is just insane ๐ฅถ
Mitch Santner what a captain and also credits to Cole for stitching that partnership #NzvsSL pic.twitter.com/KxAJpVVCDG
๐จ 70 RUNS IN LAST 4 OVERS FOR NEW ZEALAND
โ usman (@cricbyusman) February 25, 2026
- What a comeback at the end pic.twitter.com/gIat0Ay56u
New Zealand 84/6 to 168/7. Sri Lanka conceded 70 runs of 22 balls. Pathetic bowling. #SlvsNz #NZvsSL #ICCT20WorldCup https://t.co/1BNhbxBnWl pic.twitter.com/2siaf5XyvR
โ \/!ยขKยฅ ๐ต๐ฐ (@waqar2668) February 25, 2026
INNINGS BREAK in Colombo! ๐๏ธ
โ Cricketishh (@cricketishh) February 25, 2026
โFrom 88/6 to 168/7โwhat a recovery by New Zealand! ๐ณ๐ฟ Mitchell Santner (47) and Cole McConchie (31*) hammered 70 runs in the last 4 overs to stun the Premadasa crowd. ๐๐ฅ
โMaheesh Theekshana (3/30) was lethal, but the Kiwis have set a target thatโฆ
The last 24 balls brought 70 runs from the Santner-McConchie๐ฅ๐ฅ A crucial rescue act for New Zealand when they were struggling at 84/6 after 13 overs! #SLvNZ #T20WorldCup2026
โ โ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐_๐๐๐ฅ๐_๐๐๐ฃ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ (@RajBhandari97) February 25, 2026
pic.twitter.com/PkGRfzp9QI
What a finish from New Zealand! 70 runs from the last 4 overs. They were down and out when Mitchell was cleaned up by Wellalage. But the 84-run partnership between Santner and McConchie has taken them to a par total
โ Robot at Rajputana Rifles (@cricrifle1857) February 25, 2026
Black Caps' pace spearhead Matt Henry has backed up their captain's effort by providing them with a brilliant start. Henry dismissed Pathum Nissanka in the first ball of the innings for a golden duck and returned to get the better of Asalanka for 5 in the following over.
The clash looms as a must-win especially for Sri Lanka, who lost their Super 8 game to England.
