![New Zealand duo creates history vs Sri Lanka [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772035270181_NewZealandduocreateshistoryvsSriLanka.jpg?type=hq)
New Zealand duo creates history vs Sri Lanka [Source: AFP]
In the Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka, New Zealand were in a spot of bother as the team had lost a flurry of wickets, and they needed a messiah to salvage their pride. The fans prayed, and the prayers were answered as Mitch Santner and Cole McConchie created history with their historic partnership.
New Zealand were in a precarious situation when they lost Daryl Mitchell (the 6th wicket of the innings). At that moment, the Kiwi scoreboard was 84/6, and the side needed a strong finish in the death overs. This is when Santner and McConchie came to life as they added 84 runs, and became the pair with the highest runs added for the seventh wicket in T20 World Cup history.
Highest 7th Wicket Partnerships in T20 WCs:
84 – Cole McConchie & Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (RPS), 2026, Tonight*
74 – Michael Hussey & Steve Smith (Australia) vs Bangladesh, Bridgetown, 2010
71* – Gulbadin Naib & Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) vs Pakistan, Dubai (DICS), 2021
The previous best was Michael Hussey and Steve Smith, when the duo added 74 runs against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2010. The third spot is now occupied by Afghan duo of Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi (71* vs Pakistan in 2021).
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70 runs added in last 4 overs
The Kiwis were 98/6 when the 16th over ended, and the team needed a miracle to post a competitive total in the last four overs. The onslaught started in the 17th when the Kiwi duo added 18 runs as momentum swung in their favour.
The 18th over was even better as Mitch Santner and McConchie slammed 21 runs as the Sri Lankan bowlers were pushed on the back foot by the Black Caps. The following two overs snatched 19 and 12 respectively as the New Zealand team managed to post 168/7.
Santner joins an elusive list after Sri Lanka onslaught
New Zealand star, Santner, slammed 47 off 26 balls, and in the process, the all-rounder entered an elusive list as he became the 8th player to score 1000-plus runs and 100 wickets in T20 cricket.
The other big names in the list are Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Hardik Pandya (India), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Virandeep Singh (Malaysia), Aizaz Khan (Hong Kong), and Shadab Khan (Pakistan).
Sri Lanka in deep trouble after Santner, McConchie onslaught
A target of 169 was never going to be easy for Sri Lanka, especially against the quality bowling that the Kiwis possess. However, nobody imagined that inside the first 10 overs, the Lankan Lions would lose 5 crucial wickets.
Matt Henry ripped through Pathum Nissanka’s defence as the opener departed for a duck. It was then followed by a carnage of wickets as everyone crumbled like a pack of cards. Rachin Ravindra came in as a surprise for the Sri Lankans as he scalped 3 for 11, and gave a huge dent to the Lankan hopes.
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