Zimbabwe chase 178 in style to top Group B after dramatic 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe produced a brilliant performance in Colombo, completing their highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history with a comfortable 6-wicket win over the Sri Lanka national cricket team. The Chevrons remained unbeaten in the group stage and finished on top of Group B, heading into the Super 8s full of confidence where they will face West Indies, India and South Africa. For Sri Lanka, the decision to bat first and defend backfired, serving as a clear wake-up call before the next round.

Sri Lanka's in-form top-order set the foundation. Kusal Perera getting a start was a positive for them. Pathum Nissanka continued with his good run of form, hitting a half-century and scoring 62 off 41 balls. They were 100/1 in 12 overs, but all of a sudden, Zimbabwe squeezed the hosts with regular wickets using spin.

Pavan Rathnayake's whirlwind knock, slamming 44 off 25 balls and a late cameo from Dunith Wellalage got Sri Lanka to a challenging 178/7. Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani picked up 2 wickets and bowled well in patches, while Ryan Burl snapped a wicket, bowling a beautiful leg break first up to beat Kusal Mendis all ends up.

Zimbabwe complete record T20 World Cup chase to stun Sri Lanka and top Group B

Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani also gave Zimbabwe a fine start, making merry of some sloppy bowling and fielding of Sri Lanka, stitching 69 for the first wicket. Wellalage took care of the latter for 34 off 26, before Ryan Burl came in and kept the momentum going with an entertaining cameo.

Sikandar Raza stepped in and took the Lankan attack to the cleaners just when the game looked to be hanging in the balance. He slapped 2 fours and 4 sixes, added a match-winning 50-plus stand with Bennett, who got to a fifty as well. Hemantha, who was belted for plenty early on, turned things around with a double-wicket 19th over, with Shanaka grabbing a couple of tough catches. With 8 runs required off 6 balls, Tony Munyonga slammed Theekshana's first ball of the 20th for a six, before Bennett hit the winning runs.

Raza's 26-ball 45 set the game, while Bennett continued and is yet to be dismissed, scoring 63 off 48 balls. Zimbabwe nearly made a meal of it in the last over, but eventually, they got home with 3 balls to spare.

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by Dwijesh February 19, 2026