A semifinal spot at stake, Sri Lanka and New Zealand take on each other in a virtual knock-out match of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Monday.
Sri Lanka and New Zealand are on four points each from three games and the winner of Monday’s Super 10 match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium will decide which side will join South Africa in the semifinals from Group 1.
South Africa have finished their Super 10 engagements and have qualified for the semifinals with six points from four matches.
Sri Lanka came into the World T20 high on confidence after winning the Asia Cup and then they recorded two consecutive wins comfortably — against South Africa and minnows the Netherlands.
The win against the Netherlands was the shortest successful run chase ever in Twenty20 Internationals, having completed in just five overs after the Dutch scored just 39.
Sri Lanka, however, lost their next match against England by six wickets in a high-scoring match here with their bowlers failing to stop Alex Hales from scoring 116 from just 64 balls.
The Lankans would look to return to winnings ways against New Zealand on Monday and book a semifinal berth but they will have to come up with an improved bowling show.
All the Lankan bowlers were expensive in their loss against England and they cannot afford to do so against a New Zealand side which have the likes of captain Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson.