‘Qudrat ka nizaam k badle Qudrat ka inteqam’ – Fans react as New Zealand brush aside Sri Lanka by five wickets
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (Image Credit: Twitter)
In the 41st match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, New Zealand played against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. Ahead of the game, the 1996 winners were coming off three back-to-back losses including ‘The One’ against Bangladesh. After being ruled out of the semis race, they had Champions Trophy 2025 qualification to play for. On the other hand, the two-time finalists needed to ensure their semis qualification (and also make life difficult for Pakistan).
Meanwhile, in this game, the Blackcaps won the toss and chose to bowl first with rain forecasted for the day. Despite Kusal Perera hitting 51 off 28 balls including nine fours and two sixes, the Kiwi bowlers were in control. Despite conceding 75 runs in the first powerplay, they managed to take five wickets to neutralize the counter-attack from Perera. During this phase, Trent Boult took three wickets while Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee took one each.
Things got worse for the former champions as they lost nine wickets for just 128. Not just Sri Lanka but Pakistan and Afghanistan fans weren’t happy with this performance as they needed the Lankan Lions to beat the Kiwis for their semis hopes to remain at a gettable target. Meanwhile, Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka took the team to 171 all-out in 46.4 overs. Talking about the Men In Black’s bowling, Boult took three wickets while Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra took two each.
On the other hand, Southee remained with one wicket to his name.
New Zealand’s win ensures Pakistan and Afghanistan’s semifinal hopes remain distant
Before the start of the second innings, not just Lanka fans but the likes of Pakistan and Afghanistan fans wanted the Lankan bowlers to step up. However, the likes of Devon Conway (45) and Ravindra (42) put together 86 runs in just 12.2 overs. The way the team batted, they looked like they were adamant about making life difficult for Pakistan. Despite losing five wickets, they got what they wanted, i.e winning the game by a long margin. They chase down the target in just 23.2 overs.
This is how Twitter reacted
LoL how apt #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/emXv46ZN9t
— Anonymous (@username_ntfond) November 9, 2023
PAKISTAN ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP.
This is Qudrat Ka Nizam.#NZvsSL #QudratKaNizampic.twitter.com/xTXqFQlZsw
— KRISHNA (@KrishnaVK_18) November 9, 2023
Pakistan is practically knocked out of #WorldCup2023 !!!😂😂#NZLvsSL#SLvsNZ #QudratKaNizam pic.twitter.com/cJf6oYTaxq
— Prince Agarwal (@princeagarwal08) November 9, 2023
What a massive win for New Zealand! 🔥 Pakistan and Afghanistan will require a tremendous effort to overtake them to make it to the top 4. #CWC23 #NZVSL
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) November 9, 2023
Kahani khatam. Paisa hazam. Pakistani new-age cricket fans ka zameen per land honay ka waqt hua chahta hai. #PakistanCricket #CWC23
— Syed Ali Imran (@syedaliimran) November 9, 2023
I guess it will, once again, be #IndvsNZ in a World Cup semi-final.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 9, 2023
This Bengaluru pitch should have suited team Sri Lanka. But New Zealand did outstandingly well. Well deserve victory this. Really happy to see them play like this. #NZvSL
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 9, 2023
Rachin is a superstar .. #CWC23 .. The Wankhede in the semis might be rather loud if he knocks a Ton .. Rachin Rachin 😜
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 9, 2023
Trent Boult pic.twitter.com/AVtffHm55X
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) November 9, 2023
Tame batting by Lanka on a featherbed after a flying start, smart run chase by New Zealand to register comprehensive win scuttles Afghanistan’s hopes for making the semis and Pakistan praying for the impossible. Get set up for an India-NZ semi final at the Wankhede!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 9, 2023
