Let’s just stop for a moment and appreciate what Zimbabwe cricket has done in the last three weeks.
They arrived in Sri Lanka as a team that — two years ago — couldn’t even qualify for this tournament. They lost to Uganda. Uganda. It was one of Associate cricket’s most shocking results, and it sent Zimbabwe into a cycle of rebuilding, reflection, and quiet, stubborn determination. Nobody gave them a serious chance in Group B. The bookmakers didn’t. The pundits didn’t. And then Blessing Muzarabani ripped through Australia’s top order, Sikandar Raza led with the calm authority of a man who has seen everything, and Brian Bennett played every innings of this group stage — four of them — without once being dismissed.
On February 19 at R. Premadasa Stadium, in front of a crowd that came to watch Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe chased down 179 against the co-hosts to win by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare. They finish Group B with four wins from four matches — becoming only the third Associate or emerging nation in T20 World Cup history to complete a perfect group stage record. They have beaten Oman, Australia, Ireland (via washout), and now Sri Lanka.
If you still aren’t talking about Zimbabwe cricket, it is time to start.
Match Summary: The Colombo Resurrection
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 - Match 38 - Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe’s 6-wicket victory was a statement of intent. Sri Lanka, electing to bat, looked set for 200 after a 61-run Powerplay. However, the Zimbabwean spin quartet—led by Graeme Cremer (2/27)—choked the middle overs, conceding just 21 runs in 4 overs. Chasing 179, Zimbabwe’s openers provided a 69-run platform. When the required rate touched 11, Sikandar Raza smashed 20 runs in a single over off Dushan Hemantha to swing the game. Tony Munyonga then iced the game with a first-ball six in the final over, allowing Bennett to hit the winning boundary and maintain Zimbabwe’s 100% win record.
Playing XI
Zimbabwe
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani.
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
Key Stats & Records From Today's Match:
Clean Week: Zimbabwe finishes the group stage undefeated, having beaten Australia, Sri Lanka, and Oman.
History at SSC: This is Zimbabwe’s second-highest successful run chase in T20I history.
The Bennett Streak: Brian Bennett is the only player in the 2026 World Cup to score two unbeaten fifties in successful chases.
Lankan Legend: Pathum Nissanka is now Sri Lanka’s all-time highest run-scorer in T20I cricket.
Associate Power: This is Zimbabwe’s fifth win against a Full Member nation in T20 World Cup history.
Innings Breakdown
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka's First Innings
Pathum Nissanka gave Sri Lanka a blazing start, smashing 62 off 41 balls at the top — an innings of boundaries and intent that had the Premadasa crowd roaring. Pavan Rathnayake contributed a punchy 44 off 25 balls in the middle order, pushing Sri Lanka to a competitive position. But Zimbabwe’s bowlers — disciplined and clever throughout — kept taking wickets at crucial intervals. Blessing Muzarabani (2/38), Brad Evans (2/35), and Graeme Cremer (2/27) shared the spoils, repeatedly cutting off Sri Lanka’s momentum every time they threatened to accelerate. Sri Lanka closed on 178/7 — a strong total, but as it turned out, not strong enough.
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe's Chase
No one chases 179 comfortably. Zimbabwe didn’t — not exactly. They lost Tadiwanashe Marumani early and found themselves navigating a surface that was doing more than it looked. But Brian Bennett — utterly unflappable, utterly unbeaten across this entire group stage — held firm. He made 63 off 48 balls*, rotating the strike intelligently early, before finding the boundaries when Zimbabwe needed them most. When Sikandar Raza arrived at the crease with 12 overs remaining and Zimbabwe needing quick runs, the match shifted. Raza smashed 45 off just 26 balls, launching Dushan Hemantha into the stands twice in the same over, breaking the record for the most sixes by a Zimbabwe batter in T20 World Cup history. Their 69-run third-wicket partnership — Zimbabwe’s highest for that wicket in T20 World Cup history — effectively won the match. Hemantha finished with 2/36 but the damage was done. Zimbabwe crossed the line in 19.3 overs.
Top Performers
Brian Bennett (63 off 48 balls) - The Anchor
Bennett has become the soul of this Zimbabwean lineup. In this tournament, he is yet to be dismissed when chasing. His ability to anchor while the big hitters explode at the other end allowed Zimbabwe to navigate a tricky 179-run target on a sluggish pitch with zero panic.
Sikandar Raza (45 off 26 balls) - Player of the Match
The skipper led from the front when the game was on the line. His 20-run over against Hemantha was the definitive moment of the match. Raza’s experience in these high-stakes chases is currently the primary reason Zimbabwe is being viewed as a dark horse for the semi-finals.
Pathum Nissanka (62 off 41 balls) - The Record Breaker
Despite the loss, Nissanka’s innings was legendary. By surpassing Kusal Mendis’ record, he solidified his spot as the premier Sri Lankan batter of this generation. His seventh T20 World Cup fifty equals the great Mahela Jayawardene’s record.
The Brian Bennett Phenomenon
There is a stat about Brian Bennett that deserves its own paragraph — and possibly its own documentary.
In four innings at this T20 World Cup 2026, Bennett has not been dismissed once. Four innings. Four not-outs. Scores of 29*, 41*, 38*, and now 63* against co-hosts Sri Lanka, in a run chase, on a surface that had their top three batters scratching. He is 21 years old. He has been Zimbabwe’s most consistent batter across this entire tournament. And he does it without fuss, without theatre, without social media noise — just relentless, mature, match-winning cricket.
“Brian is special,” Sikandar Raza said after the match. “He’s been unbelievable for us — calm, composed, always there when we need him. I don’t think people outside Zimbabwe cricket fully appreciate what they’re watching yet.”
They will. Because Bennett enters the Super 8 with a tournament average of infinity — you cannot calculate an average for a batter who has never been dismissed — and a growing reputation as one of Associate cricket’s most exciting batting talents. Watch for his name on February 23, when Zimbabwe face West Indies in Mumbai. That match just became considerably more interesting.
Raza's Record — and What It Says About This Team
Sikandar Raza is everywhere in Zimbabwe’s story. He is their captain, their talisman, their voice, and — when needed — their destroyer. His 45 off 26 balls against Sri Lanka was an innings of pure, controlled aggression: every six calculated, every boundary timed to the second when Zimbabwe needed boundaries most.
In breaking Elton Chigumbura’s record for most sixes by a Zimbabwe batter in T20 World Cup history — his 16th six in this tournament surpassing Chigumbura’s previous mark of 12 — Raza also wrote another line in a personal story that began in extraordinary circumstances. He was born in Pakistan, represented Scotland briefly, moved to Zimbabwe, and has since become the most important cricketer in Zimbabwe’s modern history. No Zimbabwe player has done more — in runs, in wickets, in leadership — to get this team to where they are today.
“We’ll celebrate, but for a short time,” he had said after the rain-assisted qualification against Ireland. Now, after beating the co-hosts on their own ground, he was slightly more expansive: “This group of players has shown enormous character. We don’t talk about what we can’t do. We talk about what we can.”
That philosophy — quiet, positive, team-first — has carried Zimbabwe through a group stage nobody expected them to dominate.
Key Moments & Turning Points: The "Bat-Stuck" Run Out
The “Nissanka” Strangle: Pathum Nissanka was on fire, reaching 62 off 41, until Graeme Cremer lured him into a reverse sweep that ended in the hands of Tony Munyonga. His dismissal halted Sri Lanka’s charge at 108/3, costing them at least 15-20 runs.
Raza’s 15th Over Blitz: With 65 needed off 36 balls, Sikandar Raza pummeled Dilshan Madushanka for two sixes and a four. This 18-run over broke the back of the required rate and shifted the pressure entirely onto the Lankan Lions.
Munyonga’s Cold-Blooded Six: Needing 8 off the final over, Tony Munyonga clubbed Maheesh Theekshana’s first delivery over long-on. This “one-hit wonder” ensured Brian Bennett could finish the chase without any last-minute drama.
The “Raza” Over: The 15th over was the defining moment. Sikandar Raza’s three boundaries off Dilshan Madushanka turned a required rate of 11 into a manageable 8.5. This burst of “Raw Power” from the captain was the soul of the comeback.
The Nissanka Catch: Graeme Cremer’s dismissal of Pathum Nissanka in the 14th over was the “quiet” game-changer. Nissanka was looking at a 90+ score; his exit meant Sri Lanka scored 20 runs fewer than they should have.
The "G1" Tactical Advantage
By finishing top of Group B, Zimbabwe has avoided Group 2 of the Super 8s, which is currently being labeled the “Group of Death” (Pakistan, NZ, England, Sri Lanka). Instead, they enter Group 1, where they will play two matches in Mumbai and Chennai—venues that traditionally favor their spin-heavy bowling attack. This “G1” seed is a massive tactical advantage that could realistically see Zimbabwe push for a semi-final spot if they can secure an upset against South Africa or the West Indies.
What This Result Means for Group B
The result is final: Zimbabwe finishes as Group B leaders with 7 points. By defeating both Australia and Sri Lanka, they have earned the “G1” seed for the Super 8s. They will now travel to Mumbai to face the West Indies on Monday. Sri Lanka, finishing with 6 points, takes the “G2” seed and will face England in Pallekele on Sunday. This “Clean Week” has transformed Zimbabwe from an underdog into a genuine threat for the title.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group B Points Table
Final Group B Points Table
Match Highlights - Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026
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