SL Women vs NZ Women, 15th Match, Group A at Sharjah, Women's T20 World Cup, Oct 12 2024 - Match Result

5:10pm That will be all from us for this game. In less than an hour, South Africa will be taking on Bangladesh, hoping to strengthen their chances of a semi-final berth. We hope to have our company for that game too. Until next time, this is goodbye from Chetan, Thilak and myself. Take care, everyone!

Sophie Devine, New Zealand captain: Really pleased. Plimmer was outstanding, super proud of her, sticking to her strengths and taking the game on. (On if NRR calculations came into play during the chase) We actually didn't. We set targets at the innings break and it was to win the game in the 17-18th over. We obviously see how results play out tomorrow and by the Pakistan game, we will know exactly (what we need). We will celebrate tonight's win but then go back to the drawing board (for our last match). She (Plimmer) has worked incredibly hard. A lot of it has gone on behind closed doors. She has copped a bit of criticism, which as a captain is hard because you see the work she has been putting in. She had a great knock against Australia in Australia and to see her grow…she is only 20-21 and she has a bright future (ahead of her). (On her batting at 4) This group is really flexible, whenever we can set up a platform like that, that is the best for this team. Nice to go out there, be a bit lazy and not run too much out there (laughs).

Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka captain: We didn't play our best cricket throughout this tournament. We (as a batting unit) improved a little bit today but we needed another 20-25 runs. The bowlers did their best. I told them to play fearless and positive cricket. We had nothing to lose. Tried to execute but it was not enough for the win. We played really good cricket in the last twelve months but we have not played our best cricket at this competition. Expectation is very high, sometimes, it is pressure for the players. As cricketers, we have to keep it simple. Play it one game at a time. We lost our first game and then our mindset was going down. We kept trying (to turn it around) but it did not work.

5pm This is how the table looks now. NZ have inched closer to India on the NRR front but have not overhauled it yet. India's final fixture, though, is against Australia, who are unbeaten, whereas NZ face Pakistan, who have lost two on the bounce since beating Sri Lanka.

Georgia Plimmer, Player of the Match: We have talked a lot as a group on how we want to attack the powerplay. Being able to be there with someone like Suzie, being able to talk about my options, that is really helpful. Sometimes it may not come off, but if I can get my team off to such starts, I am happy. (On her approach) Wanted to back my skills. Had good conversations with the coaches and the senior players, and just wanted to play my brand (of cricket). It is a pretty special group we have. The White Ferns love each other outside of cricket as well. We are clear on how we want to play. Trying to put our best foot forward. We have had a tough six months but to come out here and put together wins, it gives us huge confidence.

4:52pm A fairly comfortable run-chase for New Zealand. Plimmer was the star of the show as she notched up her second T20I fifty. She also took advantage of the field restrictions and gave NZ momentum early, when Bates was struggling at the other end. Kerr then walked out, maintained the tempo and ensured there were no further hiccups, with skipper Devine landing the final and decisive blow. There may be a school of thought that they could have gone at a quicker tempo but given the slowness of the surface, they might be happy with how they have polished off this chase.

Another day to forget for Sri Lanka, and this performance sums up the tournament they have had. They did not put enough runs on the board and then lacked incisiveness with the ball. Their fielding was also well below average, and at no point, it felt they would spring a surprise and put NZ under pressure, which is perhaps the most scathing assessment of their display.

NZ one hit away now. Can they get the job done in this over? Kumari to bowl

Akindu: "Should NZ win this does that knock india out of contention?" -- Not at all. India, if they win tomorrow against Australia, will be right in the mix and if NZ also win against Pakistan, it will come down to NRR

13 more needed now. How quickly can NZ polish off this chase?

21 off 30 now. Prabodhani back to bowl the 16th. Around the wicket

Devine strides out. Athapaththtu stays around the wicket

Back to over the wicket

Tautoru: "NZ now accelerating. Straight drives are the way to go to win here. " -- Plimmer, in particular, has been very impressive with her shot selection

Around the wicket to Plimmer