🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 M38: SL vs ZIM at Colombo🏏 - Page 4

Zimbabwe Innings

19.1 Theekshana to Munyonga, SIX runs

Dragged down, and Munyonga produces the big hit under pressure Zimbabwe were craving for! Sits up outside off and Munyonga has all the time in the world to wallop this over cow corner. What drama!

Congratulations to ZIM for their thrilling win against SL.

Zimbabwe Innings

19.3 Theekshana to Bennett, FOUR runs

Bennett caresses it through the off-side ring, and Zimbabwe get past the finish line! Unbeaten in the group stage, and now, table-toppers of a group that also comprised of Australia and Sri lanka!

Zimbabwe enter the super 8s undefeated! What a night for them - their 2nd highest successful chase in T20Is -

Not bad for a dead rubber, eh? At the half-way stage, it felt SL may just have enough on the board. And they seemed to believe that in the opening overs of the powerplay too, tying the Zimbabwean batters down. But then, Marumani teed off, with Bennett following suit soon after. Burl played his part too, with Raza arguably playing the decisive knock. He could not stay alongside Bennett at the end, but his innings ensured that Zimbabwe, despite a wobble, had enough of a cushion to bounce back.

SL will be disappointed. Shanaka and Wellalage tried their best, but the rest were not quite up to scratch. Theekshana, on a slow track, was too expensive, with none of the seamers gaining any foothold either. The result, in terms of qualification, may not have mattered, but SL will still feel they should have won this game.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Congratulations to ZIM for their thrilling win against SL.

The Zimbabwe supporters are up and dancing in the stands. Two years back in 2024, they'd lost to Uganda in the qualifiers and failed to make it to the T20 World Cup. They came through the same route this year as well and they've now aced some of the biggest names in T20 cricket. If you thought the win against Australia was a fluke, they've sent a message across by beating the co-hosts today. Both teams were already through to the Super Eights, but it's Zimbabwe who take the bragging rights with them. Brian Bennett once again anchored the chase with a 48-ball 63*, Marumani and Ryan Burl kept the chase on tracks with breezy knocks, but it was Sikandar Raza and his onslaught which decisively turned the game in Zimbabwe's favour. The skipper couldn't finish the game, but he'd done his bit by then. Sri Lanka are without a host of first-choice bowlers and the pitch did seem to play better under lights, but they'll be worried at the lack of cutting edge in their bowling and fielding.

Sikandar Raza, Player of the Match: 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.

Stats

Sri Lanka at Colombo RPS in T20Is

Matches: 34

Won: 9

Lost: 25

Win%: 26.5

7 sixes in this innings is the most Zimbabwe hit in a T20 World Cup innings.

This is also the second-highest successful chase at Colombo RPS in T20Is, behind 215 runs chased by Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy in 2018.

This is also the second-highest successful chase against Sri Lanka in T20 WCs, after England’s 190 runs chase at Chattogram in the 2014 edition.

Highest target successfully chased by ZIM (T20Is)

199 vs NAM, Windhoek, 2023

179 vs SL, Colombo RPS, 2026 WC*

178 vs SCO, Edinburgh, 2021

174 vs SL, Colombo RPS, 2024

172 vs IRE, Bready, 2019

Zimbabwe's wins vs other FM teams at T20 WCs

vs AUS, Cape Town, 2007

vs IRE, Hobart, 2022

vs PAK, Perth, 2022

vs AUS, Colombo RPS, 2026

Vs SL, Colombo RPS, 2026*

Most 50-plus scores for ZIM in T20Is

17 - Sikandar Raza (125 inns)

12 - Brian Bennett (55 inns)*

12 - Sean Williams (84 inns)

11 - Hamilton Masakadza (66 inns)

Brian Bennett in T20 WC 2026

48* (36) vs OMAN

64* (56) vs AUS

63* (48) vs SL

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: (On the batting) 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. (On the bowling plans) 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.

Sikandar Raza, now speaking as Zimbabwe captain: 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.

Zimbabwe is the strongest team abhi