PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP):

Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga bowled his team to victory in a one-over eliminator against New Zealand in a sensational start to the Super Eights at the World Twenty20 yesterday.

New Zealand needed 14 for victory in the eliminator after Sri Lanka had posted 13-1, but Malinga's skiddy deliveries proved too difficult to score from and the Kiwis were restricted to 8-1.

During the regular 20-over stage, Sri Lanka needed only eight off the last over after New Zealand had scored 174-7. Lahiru Thirimane required a single off the final ball but was run out when New Zealand captain Ross Taylor dropped the ball on the stumps for the hosts to finish on 174-6.

"We have a win under the belt, so the pressure eases," Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said. "Judging by Taylor's reaction we thought we had won the match, but it needed a super over."

Tillakaratne Dilshan made 76 off 53 balls and Jaywardene hit 44 off 26 deliveries before New Zealand rallied. Dilshan was run out after hitting five fours and three sixes when 15 was needed to win and Thisara Perera was bowled by James Franklin in the penultimate over.