Victory against Pakistan in Dubai on Monday could still be enough for the White Ferns to qualify for the semi-finals.
But much will depend on Sunday’s meeting between Australia and India – where a win for India would keep them in pole position because of their still superior net run-rate.
New Zealand needed to reach their target inside 15 overs to move ahead of India on net run-rate but captain Sophie Devine said the team did not discuss that target.
“We actually didn’t [talk about the run rate], to be perfectly honest,” she said.
“We set targets at the innings break and that was always to get us to win in the 17th or 18th over, but we know that winning the game is the most important thing.
“We will see how results play out on Sunday and then by the time of our final game against Pakistan we will know exactly where we stand.”
New Zealand struggled with the ball early on, some erratic bowling from Rosemary Mair abetting Athapaththu’s fluid knock.
The Sri Lanka captain hit five boundaries but the run rate was never too scary, and once Athapaththu was bowled trying to step on the accelerator her side collapsed somewhat.
A run of two wickets for five runs in 15 balls put the brakes on as excellent control from Kerr and a fine catch from Devine brought the game back into New Zealand’s control.
New Zealand were slow to reply initially, only hitting their first four off the 25th ball of the innings, but once Plimmer found the fence the opener was able to cut loose.
Plimmer was put down on 33 by Inoshi Priyadharshani – a difficult caught and bowled chance – and made Sri Lanka pay, moving to her half century in 41 balls with a flurry of crisp shots down the ground.
Plimmer holed out to deep square shortly after but Devine came in and ended the match with the first six of it.