Published: February 19, 2026 at 7:59 pm
Zimbabwe are on a roll and look unstoppable at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. On Thursday, the African country, who failed to make the cut for the 2024 T20 World Cup, continued to spring surprises. After beating Australia earlier in the tournament, they defeated tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka by six wickets in Colombo to enter the Super Eight unbeaten and as Group B toppers.
In their final group game of the 2026 edition, Zimbabwe restricted the in-form Sri Lankans to 178 for 7 and then overcame a mid-innings lull to gallop to 182 for 4 in 19.3 overs.
“We keep our sights forward. If I keep our eyes on the present, I don’t think anyone gave us a chance. To win everyone’s hearts and respect, it is a good position to be in. When we lost the toss, all I said to the boys was if we are truly playing good cricket, why does the toss matter. I bowled, and said finger-spinners are not finding a lot of turn, so we can put them under pressure. I came into the changing room and said they were 10 runs short (at the break). We have trained for every situation. Then we have the right personnel to send in at the right time. We have got all those roles clear and that is why you see the confidence in the changing room. We take one game at a time. We arrive on 21st, and then train on 22nd, and then it is show-time. Whatever happens, happens. If we can win two out of three games, who knows what can happen. Everyone loves an underdog story,” said Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza.
Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani gave the team the perfect launchpad, putting on an opening partnership of 69 in 8.3 overs. After losing Marumani and Ryan Burl in quick succession, they struggled to tick on for a while.
But Sikandar Raza flipped the switch in the 15th over, slamming two sixes and four in succession to plunder 20 runs off it. His blitz of 45 runs from 26 balls took Zimbabwe to the brink of victory. However, it was Bennett, who has been unbeaten in the tournament so far, carried the team over the finish line with a level-headed innings of 63 not out, off 48 balls.
“After the first eight balls, I only had 4-5 runs, but I was seeing the ball well, and if I time it well, it can go the distance. Was trying to calculate. Needed a 20-run over. Ideally wanted to finish the game but we take it. Kept on saying to Bennett that he batted through. I told him I had let him down (with my slow start) and to just hang in (because I was starting to time it well). Credit to him – he keeps doing that every game and cannot wait to see him get better. I am pretty excited with how we have gone about our business. We are unbeaten so far, but it is only the next game that comes into my head. Nice position to be in as a captain but I will try and enjoy at least tonight,” said Raza, who was named Player of the Match.
Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start, scoring 61 for 1 in the powerplay. The co-hosts raced to 50 in 4.1 overs, making it their fastest team 50 in T20 World Cup history.
Pathum Nissanka, who led Sri Lanka to victory against Australia in the previous match, once again gave the side the early momentum with a brisk half-century. During the innings of 62 (41 balls with eight fours), he also overtook Kusal Mendis as Sri Lanka’s highest scorer in T20Is.
Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer (2 for 27) led the Zimbabwe fightback, dimissing Kamindu Mendis and Nissanka. The co-hosts slipped from 100 for 2 to 123 for 4. In the 19th over, Brad Evans claimed two wickets off two balls to check Sri Lankan scoring rate at the death. Blessing Muzarabani, who had drawn first blood for Zimbabwe, finished with 2 for 38.
Pavan Rathnayake gave the team a much-needed boost towards the end, with 44 off 25, with the help of three fours and two sixes.
“We had a very good start. The score we put on is good enough to defend. Some patches where we could have done better but we take the score. It was a good score on this pitch. Our bowling plan was always simple. To take wickets (up front) but we could not get that start. It is tough with the newcomers coming in, but no excuse. We could have done slightly better. Every game, we need to do well for the country. We rested Chameera as well. But we need to do better. We need to be more confident in the field, felt that is what we lacked today. Hopefully we come with a better attitude the next time,” said Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 178 for seven in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 62, Kusal Perera 22, Pavan Rathnayake 44; Blessing Muzarabani 2/38, Brad Evans 2/35, Graeme Cremer 2/27) lost to Zimbabwe 182 for four in 19.3 overs (Brian Bennett 63 not out, Tadiwanashe Marumani 34, Ryan Burl 23, Sikandar Raza 45; Dushan Hemantha 2/36).
