A Sri Lankan spinner in a tournament where small margins determine survival Mahesh Theekshana provided a moment of individual brilliance to bounce back after a costly early break in the period T20 World Cup 2026 match against New Zealand. During a crucial Super 8 match against New Zealand on 25 February 2026, Theekshana changed the course of the match by taking a spectacular comeback catch to clear a dangerous one. Find Allen.
Only a short time ago, the mysterious spinner had dropped a ‘nanny’ Tim Siefert Short third man off Dilshan Madushanka‘s bowling made a bowling error and threatened to chase down Sri Lanka in a must-win game. However, his quick-thinking athleticism not only energized the Sri Lankan camp soon after, but also allowed Allen to personally set the pace before taking the game.
Acquisition of Maheesh Theekshana: A stunning turnaround to eliminate Finn Allen
The dismissal came shortly after Tim Seifert was given a life in the fourth over of the New Zealand innings for missing Theekshana’s chance. Facing a 3.1 delivery, Finn Allen went inside his crease to stay on the leg side of a carom ball, tried to keep it away but instead flicked it to the bowler.
Theekshana, who showed remarkable reflexes in his pursuit, reacted immediately as the ball stayed low to his left. He threw himself onto the grass and caught himself with both hands a few inches off the ground. After completing the catch, he threw the ball toward the umpire and hit the turf, a clear sign of both relief and lingering frustration over the earlier fielding error.
We present the video:
Dushmantha Chameera and Theekshana stun New Zealand early in Colombo
The Super 8 at the R. Premadasa Stadium reached fever pitch as Sri Lanka’s bowling unit produced an inspired opening burst to rattle New Zealand at 75/3 after 10 overs. after Dasun Shanaka won the crucial toss and bowler Theekshana provided the first bounce when he bowled the pooch to make up for an earlier missed chance, taking a dangerous-looking Allen out for 23.
The urgency swung further in favor of the hosts Dushmantha Chameera He went on the attack, hit twice back to back and let go Tim Seifert 8 and for the explosive Glenn Phillips 18 for, beaten for last pace as his stumps rattled. Currently, Racine Ravindra Goes into a 26-man single, trying to anchor the innings Daryl Mitchell when they are moving on a surface that already shows signs of significant turning and variable bounce.
The Colombo crowd is in full voice as the Sri Lankan spinners, led by Theekshana, effectively dry up the boundaries, forcing the Kiwis into a cautious rebuilding phase. With the predicted score below 160, New Zealand need a solid partnership in the back half of the innings to stay in what has effectively become a knockout match for the Black Caps.
