Zimbabwe pulled off a memorable six-wicket victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka in their final group-stage encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 played on 19th February at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first and posted a competitive 178 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. The hosts were once again powered by the in-form Pathum Nissanka, who produced a fluent 62 off 41 deliveries, striking eight boundaries to anchor the innings at the top.
Sri Lanka found further impetus in the latter stages through Pavan Rathnayake, whose brisk 44 off 25 balls, inclusive of three fours and two sixes, ensured a strong finish and lifted the total to a challenging score.
Despite the daunting target, Zimbabwe produced a composed and clinical run chase, reaching the target in the final over with six wickets in hand. Opener Brian Bennett led the charge with an unbeaten 63 off 48 balls, laced with eight fours, holding the innings together with a calm and calculated approach.
- Dilshan Madushanka replaces Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Squad
- Sri Lanka cruise to Super Eights with Nissanka’s stunning century
Skipper Sikandar Raza provided the decisive momentum shift with a crucial 45 off just 26 deliveries, smashing two fours and four sixes to tilt the contest in Zimbabwe’s favour during the closing stages.
For Sri Lanka, wrist-spinner Dushan Hemantha was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 2 for 36, but the effort was not enough to prevent Zimbabwe from recording their second-highest successful run chase in T20 Internationals.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will now turn their focus to the Super 8 stage, where they are set to face England on 22nd February at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheesha Pathirana | c Tony Munyonga b Graeme Cremer | 62 | 41 | 8 | 0 | 151.22 |
| Kusal Perera | c Graeme Cremer b Blessing Muzarabani | 22 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 157.14 |
| Kusal Mendis | st Timycen Maruma b Ryan Burl | 14 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | c Graeme Cremer b Brad Evans | 44 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 176.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c & b Graeme Cremer | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Tashinga Musekiwa b Blessing Muzarabani | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Dunith Wellalage | not out | 15 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 187.50 |
| Dushan Hemantha | c Ryan Burl b Brad Evans | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 8 (b 0 , lb 3 , nb 1, w 4, pen 0) |
| Total | 178/7 (20 Overs, RR: 8.9) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 | |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 4 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 | |
| Wellington Masakadza | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 7.67 | |
| Brad Evans | 3 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 11.67 | |
| Graeme Cremer | 4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 6.75 | |
| Ryan Burl | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 8.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | not out | 63 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 131.25 |
| Timycen Maruma | c & b Dunith Wellalage | 34 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 130.77 |
| Ryan Burl | c Kusal Perera b Dasun Shanaka | 23 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 191.67 |
| Sikandar Raza | c Dasun Shanaka b Dushan Hemantha | 45 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 173.08 |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | c Dasun Shanaka b Dushan Hemantha | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Tony Munyonga | not out | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 266.67 |
| Extras | 8 (b 0 , lb 3 , nb 0, w 5, pen 0) |
| Total | 182/4 (19.3 Overs, RR: 9.33) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dilshan Madusanka | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 6.67 | |
| Pramod Madushan | 2 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 11.50 | |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 3.3 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 14.24 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 3 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 8.67 | |
| Dushan Hemantha | 4 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 | |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | |
