Co-host Sri Lanka wins toss and bowls in must-win T20 World Cup game against New Zealand

Colombo, Sri Lanka — In a pivotal Super 8s encounter of the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka called correctly at the coin toss and immediately opted to field first against New Zealand at a buzzing venue in the capital on Wednesday.

The decision to bowl underscores the co-hosts’ belief in chasing under lights, with Shanaka hoping to exploit any early assistance from the surface and keep the Black Caps to a manageable total. The stakes are high for both sides, but particularly for Sri Lanka, who must prevail to keep their knockout-stage ambitions alive in front of a partisan home crowd.

With the toss settled, attention now shifts to the opening exchanges as Sri Lanka’s new-ball pair look to strike early, while New Zealand’s top order aims to set a platform for a late-innings surge. The outcome of this must-win clash could dramatically reshape the Super 8s standings.