Sri Lanka qualified for the World Cup final on Tuesday with a 5-wicket victory over a New Zealand team that resisted but never recovered after setting an inadequate target.
New Zealand struggled to put 217 on the board and Sri Lanka overhauled the modest total thanks to 73 from opener Tillakaratne Dilshan and 54 from captain Kumar Sangakkara, reaching 220-5 in 47.5 overs in the first World Cup semifinal.
Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 25 runs as New Zealand made a fight of it, but Thilan Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews guided the co-hosts home to ensure a final against either India or Pakistan. Fireworks erupted around Colombo's Premadasa Stadium as Sri Lanka scored the last few runs.
In Image: Sri Lanka's batsman Thilan Samaraweera, right, and Mahela Jayawardene, second from right, celebrate as Angelo Mathews, left, looks on as they beat New Zealand by five-wickets
Text and Images: APScorecard |
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