Zimbabwe A clinical run to beat followed Sri Lanka By six wickets in the 38th over ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Chasing a competitive target of 179, Zimbabwe reached 182/4 in 19.3 overs to seal a memorable win with three balls to spare.
After Sri Lanka posted 178/7 in 20 overs, Zimbabwe’s top and middle order combined with composure and calculated aggression to complete one of the most impressive runs of the tournament.
Sri Lanka are sent on 178/7 after sustained high order contributions
Sri Lanka, who preferred to bat first after winning the toss, got off to a brisk start. Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a smooth 62 off 41 balls, hitting eight boundaries and maintaining a strike rate above 150. His intent during the powerplay saw Sri Lanka reach 61 runs in the first six overs.
Kusal Perera added early momentum with 22 off 14 deliveries, including four precise boundaries, before falling to Blessing Muzarabani. An opening stand of 54 laid a solid foundation, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers gradually tightened their grip.
Kusal Mendis managed 14 off 20 balls, struggling for fluency before being bowled by Ryan Burl. Zimbabwe were held back by disciplined spin bowling, with Graham Cremer delivering the key magic. Cremer finished with impressive figures of 27 for four overs, dismissing both Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis at crucial moments.
Pavan Rathnayake provided the late momentum with a dynamic 44 off 25 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. However, Sri Lanka lost wickets in the groups at the death, slipping from 164/6 to 164/7 in two deliveries.
Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans took two wickets each to keep Sri Lanka from breaking the 180 mark. Despite Dunith Wellalage’s unbeaten 15 off eight balls, Sri Lanka’s total of 178/7 looked competitive but not great on a batting-friendly surface.
Zimbabwe’s quiet and calculated chase of 179
Zimbabwe got off to a positive start to their chase by reaching 55 in the obligatory power play. Tadiwanashe Marumani contributed a lively 34 off 26 balls, including five fours and a six, before falling to Dunith Wellalage at 69/1.
Brian Bennett executed the throws perfectly. The right-hander was unbeaten on 63 off 48 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries. His steady presence ensured that Zimbabwe maintained control even when the wickets fell at the other end.
Ryan Burl sparked the chase with a quickfire 23 off just 12 balls. His aggressive cameo lifted Zimbabwe to 98/2 before Dasun Shanaka dismissed him. But the match-defining partnership came between Bennett and captain Sikandar Raza.
Raza scored a captain’s knock of 45 off 26 balls in a 170-plus knock. His innings featured 2 fours and 4 powerful sixes and turned the game decisively in Zimbabwe’s favour. The duo added 69 runs for the third wicket to take Zimbabwe within touching distance of victory.
Although Raza fell in the 19th over, Zimbabwe needed just a couple of runs. He secured an unbeaten eight from three balls, including a six from Tony Munyonga exceeded the target by 19.3 times.
The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s batting in the key stages of the chase. Dushan Hemantha was the most successful, taking 2 for 36 in four overs, while Wellalage and Shanaka took a wicket each.
Maheesh Theekshana endured a tough outing, conceding 47 runs in 3.3 overs at an economy rate of 13.40. Pramod Madushan and Dilshan Madushanka also struggled to stem the flow of boundaries, allowing Zimbabwe to dictate terms.
Also WATCH: Ryan Burle’s magical leg spin causes Kusal Mendis to stumble during the SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 clash.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Brian Bennett may be the most underrated young cricketer in the world. He can fly and he can bat.
Zimbabwe in sensational form!
— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) February 19, 2026
UNSTOPPABLE!
Zimbabwe registered a stunning 6-wicket win against Sri Lanka to remain unbeaten in Group B! Their 2nd most successful T20I chase sees them ahead of giants like Australia.
What a moment for Zimbabwe cricket! #T20WorldCup #SLvWINTER #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/DX0qMUe46Y— Suraj Singh Yadav (@SurajsYadav5) February 19, 2026
Then Australia now in Lanka Lanka – #Zimbabwe playing fantastic cricket the home team literally collapsed with a 6 hkt win in the group match.#T20WorldCup #SLvZim
Storms to Super8 are unbeatable 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Prasad Mani (@imPrasadMani) February 19, 2026
All undefeated teams are in the same group 😭#SLvWINTER
— John (@Johnyvlek) February 19, 2026
Sikandar Raza’s men top Group B with a huge 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka. History is in the making! 💪 #SLvWINTER #T20WorldCup2026
— Red_0 (@_s3n71n3l_) February 19, 2026
🚀🇿🇼 ZIMBABWE ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL! 🇿🇼🚀
Bold, daring and breathtaking cricket 💥
Hosts Sri Lanka were beaten at home 🏟️🔥
Account card: https://t.co/yKDhREjHaf#t20worldcup #T20WorldCup2026 #SriLanka #Zimbabwe #SLvWINTER #SLvsZIM #cricket #SikandarReza pic.twitter.com/s475fuunMp
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 19, 2026
Zimbabwe just showed Pakistan how to run the run chase clinically in Colombo. What a performance! #SLvWINTER #T20WorldCup
— Prantik (@Pran__07) February 19, 2026
Zimbabwe stunned the hosts! Chasing 179 with 3 balls to spare – the chevrons are roaring in Colombo! 🔥🔥 #T20WorldCup #SLvWINTER
— Red_0 (@_s3n71n3l_) February 19, 2026
Silent killer 🇿🇼🔥
Brian Bennett is yet to leave this WC.
Unrated, irresistible 👀 #3rdManView #T20WorldCup #SLvWINTER pic.twitter.com/9c9CH2CXkl
— Third Man View (@3rdManView) February 19, 2026
What a win. He smiles everywhere. He played well. #T20WorldCup #SLvWINTER pic.twitter.com/MORFkUN1dM
– Nirmal Roy (@nroy11) February 19, 2026
Enters Zimbabwe #Super8 Undefeated and undefeated.🔥@ZimCricketv you Beauty. All Zim Fans love and deserve your true emotions.
Congratulations @SRazaB24 All the Team for this classy performance.🙏#SLvWINTER #T20WorldCup— Chandu☮ (@212_rchandu) February 19, 2026
😂😂😂Zimbabwe is in the golden era of cricket, undefeated-in the group stage, we are not here to fix numbers. I am absolutely proud of the team. Go to Super 8 #T20WorldCup #SLvWINTER
— jt_foxy29 (@Johnmugava) February 19, 2026
What a brilliant run from Zimbabwe 👏 This is a lesson for association teams like Pakistan.
Congratulations! 🎉 #SLvsZIM #SLvWINTER #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup2026
— Abhi aks (@abhiaks9231) February 19, 2026
Also READ: What can stop India in T20 World Cup 2026? Ryan ten Doeschate explains ahead of the Super 8 clash with South Africa
