Zimbabwe Stun Sri Lanka by 6 Wickets in Colombo Thriller – T20 World Cup 2026
In a high-scoring Group B encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe pulled off a commanding six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium. Chasing a competitive 179, the visitors reached 182/4 in just 19.3 overs, sealing one of their most impressive wins of the tournament.
Sri Lanka had earlier posted 178/7 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bat first. However, Zimbabwe’s composed chase, anchored by Brian Bennett and powered by captain Sikandar Raza, ensured the hosts were left disappointed in front of their home crowd.
Sri Lanka Innings – 178/7 (20 Overs)
Sri Lanka began positively after winning the toss and choosing to bat. The opening pair gave early momentum during the powerplay, scoring 61 runs in the first six overs.
Top Performers – Sri Lanka Batting
- Pathum Nissanka – 62 (41 balls, 8 fours)
- Pavan Rathnayake – 44 (25 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes)
- Dunith Wellalage – 15* (8 balls)
Nissanka looked in sublime touch, timing the ball crisply through the off-side and keeping the scoreboard ticking. He stitched a 54-run opening stand with Kusal Perera before Zimbabwe struck back.
Pavan Rathnayake injected late momentum with an explosive cameo, striking two sixes in the death overs. However, Sri Lanka lost wickets at crucial intervals, preventing them from crossing the 190-mark.
Zimbabwe Bowling Highlights
- Graeme Cremer – 4-0-27-2
- Blessing Muzarabani – 4-0-38-2
- Brad Evans – 3-0-35-2
Cremer’s tight spell in the middle overs proved pivotal. He dismissed Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis, applying brakes just when Sri Lanka looked set to accelerate. Muzarabani removed key batters including Kusal Perera and skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Sri Lanka finished at 178/7 with a run rate of 8.9.
Image Credit: AI-generated illustration via OpenAI DALL·E for editorial use.
Zimbabwe Chase – 182/4 (19.3 Overs)
Chasing 179 on a good batting surface, Zimbabwe approached the target with calm intent. Their powerplay yielded 55 runs, slightly behind Sri Lanka’s start but well within control.
Key Performers – Zimbabwe Batting
- Brian Bennett – 63* (48 balls, 8 fours)
- Sikandar Raza – 45 (26 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes)
- Tadiwanashe Marumani – 34 (26 balls)
- Ryan Burl – 23 (12 balls)
Brian Bennett anchored the innings beautifully, pacing his knock and rotating strike efficiently. After Marumani’s 34-run contribution at the top, Ryan Burl provided a quick burst to shift momentum.
The turning point came with the third-wicket partnership between Bennett and captain Sikandar Raza. The duo added 69 runs, dismantling Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Raza’s aggressive stroke play, particularly against Maheesh Theekshana, changed the complexion of the match.
Despite losing Raza in the 18th over with 11 runs still required, Bennett stayed composed. Tony Munyonga’s quick-fire 8* off 3 balls, including a towering six, sealed the win with three balls to spare.
Sri Lanka Bowling Analysis
- Dunith Wellalage – 4-0-27-1
- Dushan Hemantha – 4-0-36-2
- Maheesh Theekshana – 3.3-0-47-0
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to contain runs during the middle and death overs. Theekshana endured a particularly expensive outing, conceding 47 runs in just 3.3 overs. While Hemantha picked up two wickets, Zimbabwe’s batters maintained control of the chase throughout.
Match Turning Points
- Cremer’s middle-overs control restricted Sri Lanka below 180.
- Bennett–Raza 69-run partnership shifted pressure onto the hosts.
- Zimbabwe’s calm finishing ensured no late drama.
Full Scorecard Summary
Sri Lanka – 178/7 (20 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 62 | 41 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | 44 | 25 |
| Kusal Perera | 22 | 14 |
| Others | 50 | — |
Top Bowlers (Zimbabwe):
Cremer 2/27, Muzarabani 2/38, Evans 2/35
Zimbabwe – 182/4 (19.3 Overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | 63* | 48 |
| Sikandar Raza | 45 | 26 |
| Marumani | 34 | 26 |
| Others | 40 | — |
Top Bowlers (Sri Lanka):
Hemantha 2/36, Wellalage 1/27
What This Means for Group B
This victory strengthens Zimbabwe’s campaign in Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, boosting their net run rate and confidence ahead of the knockout stages. For Sri Lanka, the loss exposes middle-overs vulnerabilities and bowling concerns under pressure.
Zimbabwe’s all-round performance — disciplined bowling, steady partnerships, and clinical finishing — highlights their growing stature in international T20 cricket.
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