Zimbabwe stage a miraculous six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo, with a thrilling chase in the 38th Group B match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 19. Sikandar Raza holds the key to a balanced yet thrilling innings for Zimbabwe, who reach 182/4 in 19.3 overs while chasing a 179 target with three balls to spare.
Sri Lanka sets 178/7
Sri Lanka, who batted first, started with a strong powerplay and quickly reached 61/1 in the first six overs. Pathum Nissanka was the aggressor in this period, playing elegant shots and pacing his innings perfectly to keep the run rate ticking.
The opening pair reached 50 in just 25 balls, putting early pressure on the Zimbabwean bowlers. Nissanka reached his fifty in 34 balls, hitting seven boundaries in the process.
Sri Lanka reached the 100-run mark in the 12th over, looking set to post a total well in excess of 180. However, Zimbabwe staged a recovery in the middle overs, disrupting the flow of play with timely wickets and slowing down the run rate.
Though the lower order showed some fight, Sri Lanka were eventually reduced to 178/7 in 20 overs, which was a competitive total on a good Colombo pitch.
Zimbabwe begin confidently
Zimbabwe began the match confidently, reaching 55 without loss in the six overs of the powerplay. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani began the onslaught in the early innings, contributing a strong opening partnership of 50.
Bennett anchored the innings and scored a half-century off 41 deliveries. Zimbabwe reached the 100-run mark in the 12th over, maintaining a slight edge over the required rate.
Raza turns the match around
The turning point of the match came when Sikandar Raza took charge of the innings in the middle overs. Raza joined the innings when the score was evenly poised and took control of the innings with his power-hitting and intelligent shot selection.
Raza scored 45 off 26 deliveries, including important boundaries in the 16th and 17th overs that swung the match in Zimbabwe’s favor. He also contributed a quick 50-run partnership for the third wicket, which broke the back of Sri Lanka’s resistance.
Zimbabwe reached 150 in just over 16 overs and, with their nerves in a tight bundle, finished the chase at 182/4 in 19.3 overs.
Player of the Match
Sikandar Raza was awarded the Player of the Match award for his match-winning 45 off 26 deliveries.