India, June 18 -- Sri Lanka crippled New Zealand's title defense at the Women's Twenty20 World Cup with a final-over comeback victory in Southampton.

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand for the first time in a World Cup after Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyan-gana combined for an unbeaten 48 runs off 28 balls to reach the 151 target with two balls and five wickets remaining at the Rose Bowl.

New Zealand has lost its first two group matches. Only one team in tournament history has advanced to the semifinals with two defeats - South Africa at home in 2023.

In the second match of the doubleheader, England earned two wins from two games after comfortably handling a spirited Ireland by four wickets.

Ireland struggled to 118-9 and England calmly...