Spin king Muttiah Muralitharan destroyed New Zealand on Friday as Sri Lanka claimed a crucial win while confident Bangladesh prepared to face South Africa in a must-win World Cup clash.

Co-hosts Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan have already booked their quarter-final slots from Group A but final positions are crucial as a higher finish means you avoid the best teams from the other group.

In the two sides' last group game, New Zealand, chasing Sri Lanka's total of 265-9, had no answer to the bowling of Muralitharan, who took four for 25 in his eight overs. The Black Caps were dismissed for 153 to lose by 112 runs.

The leading Test and one-day wicket-taker appeared to be in some discomfort following a failed dive to regain his ground when batting but showed few ill effects as he bamboozled the New Zealand batsmen.

In-form acting captain Ross Taylor top-scored with 33 but the next highest score was just 20.

Earlier, skipper Kumar Sangakkara (111) and Mahela Jayawardene (66) put on 145 for the third wicket to rescue their side from trouble at 19-2.