Sri Lanka storm into Twenty20 semis

Sri Lanka made it five wins out of five as they strode into the World Twenty20 semifinals with a 48-run victory that ended New Zealand's challenge at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Tuesday.

New Zealand, chasing 159 to win, appeared on track for a nailbiting finish in the Super Eights decider after amassing 64 for two wickets after eight overs.

Martin Guptill top-scored with 43, but the Black Caps were skittled for 110 after losing their last eight wickets for 46 runs with spinner Ajantha Mendis claiming three for nine.

"Ajantha was brilliant. He is very difficult to read and he has an attacking mindset. It's a great ability to have," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

Sri Lanka now travel to The Oval in south London for the second semifinal on Friday when their opponents will be either South Africa or the West Indies.

It all hinges on the outcome of the last Super Eights match between the Proteas and India.

Pakistan take second spot in the group with four points, two more than New Zealand, and play the first semifinal at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori admitted batting let the side down saying: "It was a gettable total but in three major matches our highest score was 120.

"We got off to a decent start, then capitulated in the middle. But thay have a wonderful attack and deserved to win."

Mendis swung the balance Sri Lanka's way with two wickets in four balls, having Ross Taylor stumped before bowling Scott Styris.

Another two wickets fell for as many runs when Isuru Udana bowled Jacob Oram and Jayasuriya had Guptill caught on the square-leg fence by Angelo Mathews.

Sri Lanka continued to strike at regular intervals to wrap up the match with three overs to spare.

Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara made 35 to anchor his side to 158-5 after he won the toss and elected to bat on a good wicket.

Sangakkara put on 62 in 49 balls for the third wicket with Tillekaratne Dilshan (48) and 50 for the fourth with former captain Mahela Jayawardene (35) as Sri Lanka showed their class.