🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 M38: SL vs ZIM at Colombo🏏 - Page 2

Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Pathum Nissanka

Sri Lanka's young sensation Pathum Nissanka will be the batter to watch out for in this contest. He will be coming off after playing a sensational knock of 113 against Australia and will hope to replicate the same against Zimbabwe.

Probable Best Bowler: Blessing Muzarabani

Blessing Muzarabani will be the bowler to watch out for in this contest. The Zimbabwe pacer has been brilliant throughout the tournament, picking up nine wickets in three matches, including a match-winning four-wicket haul against Australia.

Two teams, one proud journey - As the afternoon unfolds in Colombo and the buzz builds around the R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe step into a contest that brings together two of the most uplifting stories of this World Cup. Both teams are already through to the Super 8s, but with top spot in Group B and valuable momentum at stake, this clash promises far more than just a gentle tune-up for what lies ahead.

The hosts keep finding a way - Sri Lanka have been outstanding, most recently brushing aside Australia thanks to Pathum Nissanka's superb unbeaten century and a stunning catch to remove Glenn Maxwell that flipped the match. Even injuries to Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana have not slowed them, with the Lankans conceding just 21 runs in the final four overs of that game to show off their death-bowling depth. Kusal Mendis has quietly anchored the batting with three consecutive fifties, while Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka have added late-innings punch, highlighted by Shanaka's rapid 19-ball fifty against Oman.

A few cracks behind the shine - Despite their dominance, Sri Lanka's opening pair remains an area of concern, with no stand crossing 28 so far. With tougher tests ahead in the Super 8s, either Mishara or Kusal Mendis needs to find rhythm at the top. With the ball, Maheesh Theekshana has been their best performer, with 6 wickets and the best economy, backed well by Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage and Dushan Hemantha, while Pramod Madushan could get a look-in if Pathirana is not fully fit.

A fairytale run for the Chevrons - Zimbabwe's story has been one of the feel-good tales of this World Cup. Less than two years after missing out on the 2024 edition and suffering a painful qualifying defeat to Uganda, they have roared back in stunning fashion, beating Australia and sealing their maiden Super 8 appearance. The way they have turned their fortunes around has made them one of the most talked-about teams of the tournament.

Pace, power and a beating heart - Their progress has been driven by a potent pace attack led by Blessing Muzarabani, who has been virtually unplayable, picking up a three-for in the opener and a sensational 4 for 17 against the Aussies. Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava have offered excellent support, giving Zimbabwe a bowling unit that can hurt even the strongest line-ups. With the bat, Brian Bennett has been the standout, his unbeaten 64 against Australia underlining his growing stature, and he has been the only one to cross 100 runs, while Sikandar Raza remains the heartbeat of the side, contributing with both bat and ball, even if he has not yet hit top gear.

Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani have also chipped in with useful starts, though they will be keen to turn those into bigger scores, especially with Brendan Taylor sidelined through injury, leaving Zimbabwe without one of their most experienced and reliable run-scorers.

Team Form (Last 5 T20Is, latest result first)

Sri Lanka - WWWLL

Zimbabwe - WWLLW.

Past, present and possibility - Sri Lanka have won both previous T20 World Cup meetings in 2010 and 2012, but Zimbabwe's recent dominance - bowling them out for 80 and 95 in 2025, gives the Chevrons real confidence. In afternoon conditions that suit spin, and with the home fans behind, the hosts may have a slight edge, yet Zimbabwe's fearless brand of cricket means this is far from a formality. The forecast does look a bit gloomy with a high chance of rain around, but hopefully the clouds stay away and we get to see plenty of action out on the field. With both teams in form and brimming with belief, this feels like the perfect prelude to what promises to be a thrilling Super 8 stage.

The Super Eight line-up is set. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be there. And they know who they will be playing, and where they will be playing them too. So, on the face of it, there is not much riding on this contest and it is, what they call, a dead rubber.

But momentum is king in cricket. Or any sport for that matter. And most definitely at a T20 World Cup. Which means that Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, having done so well and having ticked off the first box, will ideally not want to lose today. Even though, in theory, they can.

Hetelani Mukwak: "Are there points carried to Super Eight?" -- No. It is almost like a new tournament once the Super Eight begins.

Ayush Falor: "Weather update please looking forward to a fun stress free game" -- A little overcast, but dry for now, which is the crucial detail.

Shadow-Shell: "Unlike other dead rubbers, this is more like a warm up right? Since it's two qualified teams" -- Perhaps. And it is dry in Colombo too, meaning these players should get a good run-out.

Both teams have secured qualification, meaning that today is a party occasion for two vociferous set of fans.

Qualification secured and momentum intact, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe head into Match 38 of the T20 World Cup with the Super 8s already in sight. It isn't about survival anymore. It's about finishing well. About keeping the engine warm. About walking into the next stage feeling sharp rather than satisfied. Sri Lanka have moved through the tournament with a sense of calm authority. Their top order has done the bulk of the scoring, anchored by Kusal Mendis, who has accumulated 168 runs across 3 matches, while Pathum Nissanka's century against Australia was the kind of knock that lifts a dressing room. It wasn't just fluent, it was fearless.

Zimbabwe's journey has had a different flavour. Less expectation, more hunger. Zimbabwe’s qualification was confirmed after rain washed out their game against Ireland - a result that also knocked out Australia. But that shouldn't take away from what they've done. They've been disciplined, brave in moments that mattered and backed by a bowling unit that knows how to create chances. Blessing Muzarabani has led that charge, striking regularly and setting the tone early. Brad Evans has been equally impressive with the ball. Momentum matters in tournaments like these. Confidence carries forward and no team wants to limp into the Super 8s after a flat performance. Sri Lanka will feel the comfort of home conditions. Zimbabwe will feel the belief that comes from proving people wrong. Put those two mindsets together and you've got the ingredients for a proper contest. Nothing reckless, nothing casual - just two teams wanting to keep their story moving in the right direction.

Long queues outside the gates which opened at noon here. Some 800 policemen on duty on what's a very hot day in Colombo. But that said, it's quite overcast and humid at the moment. Forecast of thunderstorms later in the day," informs Pratyush Sinha from Colombo. It's the centre-most pitch on the square for this game, two pitches adjacent to the one on which India and Pakistan played their match. Both teams warming up with some footy, he further adds.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to bat

Zimbabwe XI: 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), 3 Dion Myers, 4 Sikandar Raza (capt), 5 Ryan Burl, 6 Tony Munyonga 7 Tashinga Musekiwa, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Graeme Cremer, 11 Blessing Muzarabani

Sri Lanka XI: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Dushan Hemantha, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Pramod Madushan, 11 Dilshan Madushanka

Dasun Shanaka: We’ll be batting first because our batsmen need to put runs on the board. So I’m happy to bat first. Madushanka comes straight into the XI. Dushmantha Chameera is rested, and Pramod Madushan comes in for him. It’s very tough because it’s a World Cup, and we need our best players in the playing XI. It’s unfortunate, but we have to deal with it. The batsmen have put in outstanding performances, which has given us a lot of confidence. At the same time, Pathirana and Wanindu got injured, but the replacements have done the job really well for us. That’s the key. Also, our fielding has improved a lot. All the key areas we wanted to work on, we’ve done superbly well. Hopefully, we’ll carry that into the next round.