New Delhi: Zimbabwe defeated co-hosts Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in their Group B match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, February 19. Chasing the 179-run target, Brian Bennett forged two crucial partnerships with Tadiwanashe Marumani and skipper Sikander Raza to register their second-highest successful chase in T20Is.
Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, but turned things around in the ongoing tournament and topped the Group B points table. Bennett stitched a 69-run partnership for the first wicket with Marumani to put the co-hosts under pressure.
Dunith Wellalage broke the partnership in the 9th over by dismissing Marumani for 34 runs. After his dismissal, Ryan Burl played a few attacking shots and scored 23 runs off 12 balls. But, he failed to convert his good start into a big knock and was removed by Dasun Shanaka in the 12th over.
Bennett completed his fifty in 41 balls and forged a match-winning partnership with Raza. The Zimbabwe skipper missed his half-century by just five runs and was dismissed by Dushan Hamantha in the penultimate over. But Bennett and Munyonga helped their team chase down the target with three balls to spare.
Earlier, Pathum Nissanka scored a brilliant fifty as Sri Lanka posted 178/7 in 20 overs. He scored 62 runs off 41 balls with the help of eight boundaries. Pavan Rathnayake also amassed a 25-ball 44 to provide the late charge. But other Sri Lankan batters struggled against Zimbabwe spinners.
Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans picked up two wickets each. With this victory, Zimbabwe have sent warning signals to other teams ahead of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Former cricketers and fans react to Zimbabwe’s stunning win
historical win for Zimbabwe what a tournament for them
won against Aus won against zim unbeaten in group stages
Congratulations Zimbabwe #ICCMensT20WorldCup2026 #ZimVsSl— Nomi 💊🏏🥭 (@Nomi_070) February 19, 2026
Zimbabwe haven’t put a foot wrong so far in this World Cup!
OG Zimbabwe feels🔥🔥#T20WorldCup
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 19, 2026
Wow! Wow! #Zimbabwe. Fantastic. You have been the story of this tournament. @ZimCricketv. And the flag bearers for the seemingly lesser fancied teams.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 19, 2026
The man behind Zimbabwe’s success.#SLvsZIM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dwTEgvjEme
— Ayaan (@MStark_56) February 19, 2026
There is 1 team in each group that is undefeated-
India
South Africa
West Indies
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe showing something nobody expected
The best #T20WorldCup is going to this #ZIMvsSL #SLVSZIM pic.twitter.com/ffk83aKgQM— Achyut Mishra (@achyutmis22) February 19, 2026
#Zimbabwe proved today, #Australia is out of #T20WorldCup2026 not because of an abandoned match..but Zimbabwe performing far better than them in their group!
— ISG (@IshaSG) February 19, 2026
Zimbabwe Topping Their Group And Going Undefeated Ahead Of Australia And The Hosts Sri Lanka, Is One Of The Most Impressive Things Happened In This T20 World Cup.@DrNaumanNiaz @iRashidLatif68
— .. (@BeingHumanAlwys) February 19, 2026
Zimbabwe are placed in Group 1 of the Super 8 stage along with South Africa, West Indies, and India. Sikander Raza and Co. will face West Indies in their next match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 23.