WT20 PHOTOS: Five-star Herath spins Sri Lanka into semis

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath registered his career-best bowling figures in Twenty20 Internationals to destroy New Zealand and power Sri Lanka into the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20, in Chittagong, on Monday.

- Scorecard

He was virtually unplayable as he claimed five wickets for three runs in 3.3 overs, including two maidens, as the Kiwis managed only 60 in 15.3 overs and won by 59 runs to top Group 1.

Earlier, Sri Lanka, who were put in to bat, were bowled out for 119 in 19.2 overs, with pacers Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham taking three wickets each.

With the victory, Sri Lanka joined South Africa in the semi-finals from Group One.

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Left-arm pacer Trent Boult rocked Sri Lanka early on, claiming a flurry of wickets with the new ball.

He dismissed openers Kusal Perera (16) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (8) in the space of five balls and then removed Kumar Sangakkara (4) in his third over to leave Sri Lanka reeling on 35 for three in the sixth over.

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Mahela Jayawardene (25) and Lahiru Thirimanne (20) added 30 runs for the fourth wicket before Sri Lanka again suffered a batting collapse.

Jayawardene was out in the 15th over as Sri Lanka were reduced to 85 for six.

Thisara Perera (16) and Sachithra Senanayake (17) hit a few vital runs in the final overs before Sri Lankan were dismissed for 119 in 19.2 overs.

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Chasing 120 for victory, the Kiwis made a steady start, putting on 18 runs from three overs, before they lost two wickets in the fourth over.

Martin Guptill (5) was run-out by Herath and then Brendon McCullum attempted a rash shot and was stumped for a duck.

Herath took four wickets in his first three overs to leave the Kiwis reeling at 29 for five in the eighth over.

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Herath finished off New Zealand's innings with the wicket of Trent Boult, who was caught at first slip for three, as New Zealand were bundled out for 60 in 15.3 overs.

New Zealand began their chase one batsman short after all-rounder Corey Anderson dislocated a finger trying to take a catch.

Kane Williams (42), the only Kiwi batsman to manage double digits, tried his best to offer some resistance but could not stop New Zealand from folding for their lowest total in 20-over cricket.

Playing his first match of the tournament proper, the spinner remarkably claimed five wickets for three runs as New Zealand.